Top 10 Ways Oranges Keep You Healthy
Oranges! They’re delicious, juicy and
packed full of vitamins (A/B/C) & nutrients (Magnesium, Phosphorous,
Potassium, Calcium & more) as well as antioxidants &
anti-inflammatory nutrients. You’ll be amazed to know that drinking a
glass of its juice is more effective than taking a vitamin C supplement!
And remember you can also put the orange
peels for good use.
Here are 10 reasons why this miracle citrus fruit is so good for you:
1. Boost your immune system
Like most citrus fruits, the Orange is packed full of vitamin C, which
is much needed to keep your immune system running efficiently and boost
the production of white blood cells, plus vitamin A, copper and folate –
all essential for the immune system.
2. Lower your cholesterol
Research shows that the flavanones in orange juice lower bad cholesterol
(LDL) and improve the good-to-bad cholesterol ratio. Oranges also
contain Pectin, a soluble fiber that locks up bad cholesterol and expels
it from the body.
3. Fight aging
Rich in antioxidants, oranges have a reputation as anti-aging fruit, as
well as the fact that they contain beta-carotene which helps in
repairing skin-damage.
4. Keep your eyes healthy
Beta-carotene also is turned into vitamin A by the body and vitamin A is
known to be vital to the function of our eyes. Along with it, the
Orange contains carotenoids that help prevent chronic eye diseases.
5. Rejuvenate your skin
The antioxidant properties of vitamin C help fight sun-damage as well as
environmental pollutants that can damage the skin. It also is a key
ingredient in the production of collagen, which helps keep the skin
tight and elastic. The citric acid in the peel lightens and brightens
the skin and also opens up clogged pores, so making a face mask from it
is a good idea.
6. Cancer Prevention
We mentioned antioxidants already, but did you know they also help fight
free radicals which are a leading cause of cancer? Not only that, but
research shows that regularly giving orange-juice to children in the
first 2 years of their life will reduce the possibility of developing
Leukemia.
7. Helps you lose weight
Need a helping hand in losing weight? Eat more oranges. Rich in fiber –
oranges keep you feeling full for longer, and thanks to the vitamin C
the body can burn fat faster!
8. Healthier heart
Being rich in antioxidants, folate, and potassium, oranges are great for
heart health. The antioxidants, particularly vitamin C, present in
oranges protect the arteries from free radicals and prevent the
oxidation of cholesterol. Also, oranges have phytochemicals that prevent
platelets from sticking together and strengthen blood vessels that
carry oxygen and nutrients to the body’s cells. Folate, or vitamin B9,
process the amino acid homocysteine in the body.
High levels of homocysteine may cause a heart attack, irrespective of a
person’s cholesterol levels. Potassium is another crucial nutrient for
heart health as it plays a key role in heart functions and muscle
contractions. Plus, research has found that the flavanone hesperidin
present in the fruit and its juice contributes to vascular protective
effects.
9. Helps prevent arthritis
According to a study published in the American Journal of Clinical
Nutrition, drinking one glass of freshly squeezed orange juice daily can
assist in reducing the risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis. Vitamin
C, Phytonutrients Zeaxanthin and Beta-Cryptoxanthin protect against
oxidative damage that can result in inflammation.
10. Prevents you from getting Kidney stones
Finally, vitamin C also helps increase the amount of citrate in your
urine, which in turn reduces your likeliness of getting Calcium Oxalate
kidney stones by reducing the crystallization of Uric Acid & Calcium
Oxalate.
Don’t overdo it though, oranges are rich in sugar and acids, and can
lead to tooth-decay and might upset your stomach if consumed in large
quantities.