Oranges: Vitamin C But What Else?
Although generally recognized for their high vitamin C content, oranges have much to offer other than a boost to fight colds and flu. While vitamin C is one of the major nutrients that can help the body’s immune system, promote healthy skin, and generally help people avoid infections, oranges do contain other compounds that are quite valuable for overall health and well-being.
Aside from being richly concentrated with vitamin C, oranges are also concentrated in antioxidants such as flavonoids, which have been proven to reduce inflammation and protect against chronic diseases by nullifying free radicals in the body, hence reducing the risk of cell damage, heart diseases, and some cancers.
Orange contains a great deal of fiber, too, which is important for good digestion, allowing your bowel to run and feed the good bacteria in your guts. Diets high in fiber have been associated with a reduced risk of developing conditions such as constipation and enhancing the efficiency of gut functioning.
Other significant nutrients in oranges include potassium. This mineral helps regulate blood pressure since it balances the sodium levels in the body. Such food, containing high levels of potassium, like oranges, supports heart health and retains blood pressure at a healthy level.
Oranges are also a good source of folate, a B vitamin important for cell growth and proper brain function. Most importantly, folate is highly necessary during pregnancies since it prevents birth defects and permits the nervous system to develop in a healthy manner.
Adding oranges to a person’s diet is quite easy and can be very palatable, too. They may be consumed fresh, juiced, added to salads, or even blended into smoothies, which all make refreshing yet healthy options apart from their vitamin C value.