What Are Oranges?
Oranges are spherical citrus fruits with an orange tint that grow on trees. These nutrient-dense powerhouses originated in China but are now grown all over the world in warm climes.
Types of Oranges
Oranges come in a wide range of variations. Some are acidic, while others are sweet. Typical types are:
- Navel
- Mandarin
- Cara Cara
- Blood oranges
- Valencia
- Seville
- Jaffa
Each kind of orange has more than 100% of the daily recommended intake of vitamin C. More than any other citrus fruit, in fact. You only need to peel and eat to obtain this essential vitamin.
Nutrition in Oranges
One medium-sized orange has:
- 60 calories
- No fat or sodium
- 3 grams of fiber
- 12 grams of sugar
- 1 gram of protein
- 14 micrograms of vitamin A
- 70 milligrams of vitamin C
- 6% of your daily recommended amount of calcium
- 237 milligrams of potassium
- 15.4 grams of carbohydrates
Health Benefits of Oranges
Oranges’ vitamin C benefits your health in a variety of ways, including:
- Protects your cells from damage
- Aids in the production of collagen, a protein essential for skin smoothness and wound healing.
- Facilitates iron absorption to combat anaemia
- Boosters your body’s natural fight against infection, and your immune system
- Slows age-related macular degeneration (AMD), a major factor in visual loss, from progressing
- Helps fight cancer-causing free radicals
Vitamin C can help lower your blood pressure and levels of the stress hormone cortisol while you’re feeling stressed.
Some other benefits:
Anti-inflammatory. Certain meals alert your immune system to an impending onslaught. Inflammation results from this. Inflammation can lead to diabetes, heart disease, arthritis, cancer, and Alzheimer’s disease when it persists over time. The effect of oranges is the reverse.
Fiber. A medium orange’s 3 grammes of fibre aid in maintaining regular bowel movements, a healthy cholesterol level, a low risk of heart disease, and the absence of ulcers. Fiber also reduces the rate at which your body absorbs sugar, which is very advantageous if you have diabetes.
Calcium. This essential component, which keeps your bones, organs, and muscles strong, is abundant in oranges.
Folate for mothers and newborns. Oranges are a fantastic natural source of a significant amount of folate. It is used by your body to split cells and create DNA. It’s a crucial B vitamin for pregnant women since it aids in the prevention of birth abnormalities.
