10 Great Things Eating Oranges Will Do For Your Health
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
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. Lowers cholesterol
2. Lowers 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. Fights aging
3. Fights 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. Keeps 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. Rejuvenates 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.
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