We all know the saying “an apple a day,” but an orange a day can be equally as good for you! Oranges are low in calories, but full of nutrients. They can help lower our risk for many diseases, and they promote healthy skin.
Orange trees are the most cultivated fruit trees in the world.
One orange provides 130% of your vitamin C needs for the day, 2% of vitamin A needs, 6% of calcium. Because of their high vitamin C content oranges are linked with boosting the immune system. An orange has over 170 different phytochemicals and more than 60 flavonoids, many which have anti-inflammatory properties and strong antioxidant effects.
Mark Houston, M.D, M.S, an associate clinical professor of medicine at Vanderbilt Medical School says the fiber, potassium, vitamin C and choline content in oranges all support heart health. And, according to the American Heart Association, eating higher amounts of a compound found in citrus fruits like oranges and grapefruit may lower ischemic stroke risk for women. Those who ate the highest amounts of citrus had a 19% lower risk of ischemic stroke than women who consumed the least. People with gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD) may experience an increase in symptoms such as heartburn when consuming highly acidic foods like oranges.
The antioxidant vitamin C, when consumed naturally (like eating an orange) or applied topically can help to fight skin damage caused by sun and pollution, reduce wrinkles and improve overall skin texture.
And, while it’s sometimes hard to find good fruits and vegetables in the winter, right now is the perfect time to buy citrus like oranges and grapefruits. Winter is their peak season! Medical News Today 2/17/14