Oranges for Health: 5 Reasons to Eat More oranges
Oranges are not only delicious and refreshing, but they’re also great for your health! These vitamin C-packed fruits may lower your risk of stroke, heart disease, and cancer. Learn how oranges can improve your health in the following 5 ways!
1) Vitamin C is an antioxidant
A powerful antioxidant in citrus fruits, vitamin C helps fight off free radicals and neutralize cell-damaging agents. In fact, research has shown that people who have high levels of vitamin C in their bloodstream are at a lower risk of death from cardiovascular disease. Why? Because it supports healthy arteries, which decreases your risk of heart attack and stroke. Oranges pack a powerful antioxidant punch—one medium orange contains twice as much vitamin C as one large tomato! Because they’re such a rich source of antioxidants and phytonutrients, eating an orange (or two!) every day can help you live longer and healthier.
2) Vitamin C Boosts Immune Function
Thanks to their high concentration of vitamin C, orange fruits can boost your body’s immune function and fight off a variety of infections and illnesses. Be sure to eat at least two servings a day. (Fresh-squeezed orange juice is even better than store-bought brands.) The added benefit? Vitamin C helps you absorb iron from other foods, which helps keep anemia at bay. You might also want to consider taking an extra vitamin C supplement if you don’t get enough in your diet; most people need about 500 milligrams per day.
3) Vitamin C Is Important for Collagen Formation
Vitamin C is important in collagen formation, so you can keep your skin smooth and plump by eating more oranges. Vitamin C also helps our bodies build connective tissue and keeps bones strong, so consuming more of these fruits will help prevent osteoporosis as well. The best part about vitamin C is that it’s water-soluble, which means your body won’t store any excess of it. This means you don’t have to worry about overdosing on vitamin C; instead, just make sure you get a healthy dose every day.
4) Bromelain Protects Against Inflammation
It’s not just sore muscles and joints that bromelain can help with—it also serves as an anti-inflammatory agent. Research shows that bromelain aids in reducing swelling and relieving pain. It might also be helpful in managing arthritis pain; however, it’s always best to talk to your doctor before adding a new supplement or food source to your diet. Bromelain is found in many foods, including pineapple, but eating too much of these fruits may actually cause digestive upset. Instead, try taking a bromelain supplement instead. Bromelain supplements are available at most health stores and online retailers like Amazon. They are usually taken after meals to aid digestion and reduce inflammation.
5) Lycopene Protects Against Cancer
Lycopene is a phytochemical abundant in tomatoes and other red fruits. A study conducted at Rutgers University discovered that women with high levels of lycopene in their blood had a lower risk of breast cancer, compared with women who had low levels. Similarly, eating an orange a day may help lower your risk of prostate cancer according to research published in Cancer Epidemiology Biomarkers & Prevention and another paper published in the Journal of Nutrition. Lycopene blocks reactive oxygen species that are known contributors to carcinogenesis (cancer growth). Orange peels also contain beta-cryptoxanthin, another carotenoid that researchers believe can reduce the risks of lung cancer.
