As one of the world’s most popular fruits, oranges are juicy and sweet, and they contain a whopping amount of vitamin C. They make a great snack and add a nice tang to many a recipe. The nice thing about oranges, they are readily available from winter to summer, with a variety of orange options dependent on the season.
The health benefits of oranges
An average medium-sized orange is a most nutritious snack. With a low glycemic index, it contains just 62 calories and is packed with a bevy of good-for-you things including:
- 93% of your daily value of vitamin C
- 13% of your daily value of fiber
- 10% of your daily value of folate
- 9% of your daily value of vitamin B1
- 7% of your daily value of pantothenic acid
- 7% of your daily value of potassium
- 5% of your daily value of calcium
As you can see, oranges are a very good source for many of the nutrients your body needs. For an in-depth look at the nutrient profile of an orange, click here. Now, let’s take a look at some of the health benefits this awesome fruit provides.
Nutritious Oranges for Good Health
Common sense tells us that oranges are a great food choice for good health, but just exactly how do these super fruits help keep our bodies healthy?
- The concentrated vitamin C in oranges provides antioxidant protection and boosts immune system function. We’re pretty sure you’ve probably heard of free radicals, but did you know that vitamin C is the primary antioxidant in the body, and it’s responsible for preventing damage inside and outside the body? Consuming vitamin C helps fend off cancer, fights inflammation, and lowers cholesterol – all of which are caused by nasty free radicals.
- Due to the high content of folate, potassium and vitamin C, oranges help lower the risk of cardiovascular disease, according to the World Health Organization.
- Orange peels may lower the level of bad cholesterol in the body as well as Statin medications.
- Oranges are a great source of fiber, which helps keep blood sugars in check, lowers cholesterol, and potentially reduce cancer risks. The high fiber content also helps keep you regular if you’re prone to bouts of constipation.
- Drinking orange juice regularly can prevent kidney stones.
- An orange a day keeps the doctor away… literally. Research shows that eating one orange a day can prevent stomach ulcers and stomach cancer.
- People at risk for developing rheumatoid arthritis should drink a glass of orange juice every day to reduce their risk by up to 52%.
Oranges not only taste great as a snack, they provide huge health benefits that are hard to ignore. If you are at risk for developing cancer, cardiovascular disease or have other health-related risk factors, eating an orange a day, or drinking orange juice regularly might be your best defense against developing medical issues in the future.
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