The many health benefits inside of oranges and orange juice.
It’s pretty safe to say that we Americans love our oranges. Not only are they so well-liked because of their easy availability and absolute deliciousness, but there is simply no shortage of ways to incorporate them into our daily diets: freshly squeezed orange juice in the morning with breakfast, sliced up wedges placed on top of a delicious summer salad, blended together to make a healthy, hearty fruit smoothie.
Add all this together and it’s easy to see why this delicious fruit consistently ranks third among our nation’s favorite fresh fruits according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). However, it’s not only the physical moist, round fruit that we enjoy―orange juice is the number one choice for fruit juice among Americans and is consumed two and half times more than the next runner up, apple juice.
However, before you head to your refrigerator to grab a big, tall glass of tasty OJ to quench your thirst, you may also be interested in knowing that our taste buds are not the only things that orange can benefit.
One glass of orange juice is not only packed with our entire daily requirements of Vitamin C intake, but they are also very rich in nutrients such as fiber, folate, calcium, vitamin B6 and much, much more. These little miracle fruits are one of the best ways to protect against immune system deficiencies, cardiovascular disease, heart disease and can also help to lower both cholesterol and blood pressure levels.
So, drink up because one thing is for sure―oranges do the body good:
What Are The Healthy Benefits of Oranges?
Oranges are not only a great way to up your daily fruit intake and improve your diet, but they also have several benefits on your overall health. Here are just a few examples of the ways in which oranges can benefit you and your body:
They Help To Digest Food: Orange juice can help to undo the damaging effects that an unhealthy meal can have on your body. This is because oranges contain more than 60 flavonoid antioxidants that help to counteract your bodies reflexive inflammatory effects.
They Can Reduce Cold Symptoms: Oranges are packed full of vitamin C which can help to reduce the severity of a cold. While the daily recommended allowance of vitamin C for adults is between 75-90 mg. per day, upping your intake when you have a cold will help to shorten the amount of the time that a cold’s symptoms will affect your body.
They Increase Fat Burning: A recent study in Arizona looked at various people with a low-blood concentration of vitamin C that were walking on a treadmill for a 60-minute session. The participants were found to have burned 25% less fat than the other participants with adequate amounts of vitamin C. This is because vitamin C is necessary to create the compound carnitine, which helps turn fat into fuel for your body.
They Promote Healthy Skin: Eating oranges and other citrus fruits that are high in vitamins and nutrients can help to prevent wrinkles and skin lines as you age.
While a glass of orange juice or a sliced up orange is a welcome addition to any breakfast meal, including these simple tasty treats will not only help to improve your diet, but it can also help keep you healthy in the long run. So, whether you prefer it in a glass, on a plate, or straight out of the peel, be sure to include a little more orange into your next meal.
