Orange trees are the most cultivated trees in the world; oranges are popular because of their sweet taste but behind this sweet taste there are a lot of immense health benefits that they bestow to the body and we will be looking at some of the tremendous health benefits of oranges in this article.
An orange has over 170 different phytochemicals and more than 60 flavonoids which have strong anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. An orange every day provides a staggering 130% of your vitamin C needs for that day.
They are very nutritious: These fruits are nutrient packed; one medium orange contains 80 calories, 0 grams of fats, 250 grams of potassium, and 19 grams of carbohydrate (14 grams of sugar and 3 grams of fiber) as well as 1 gram of protein.
There are also rich in thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, vitamin B6, folate, pantothenic acid, phosphorous, magnesium, manganese, choline, zeaxanthine, carotenoids, selenium and copper.
Choline helps with sleep, movement of the muscles, learning and memory; it helps maintain the structure of cellular membranes, it aids in the transmission of nerve impulses, it assists in the absorption of fats and reduces inflammation. Zeaxanthine and carotenoids are antioxidants that reduce the rates of cancer, especially prostate cancer.
They help in the regeneration of new cells: Their rich content of antioxidant helps in the regeneration of cells and this is why it is a potent anti-aging food; they protect healthy cells, repair damaged cells and regenerate new cells.
They boost the immune system: Their rich content of vitamin C strengthens the immune systems and helps in the production of white blood cells which destroys foreign invaders, viruses and bacteria. They are also rich in vitamin A, folate and copper which assist vitamin C in its functions with the immune system.
They are rich in healthy carbohydrates: Carbohydrate is an important nutrient that is needed by the body; the main function of this nutrient is to supply the body with energy. They contain healthy level of carbohydrate that helps in the release of energy to the body.
They lower cholesterol: Their rich fiber content helps in lowering cholesterol; the soluble fiber increases the water content of the gut, this forms a slow moving gel which travels through the intestinal tract and picks up excess cholesterol compounds and then pass it out through the faeces. By reducing the levels of cholesterol in the body; these fruits cut the risks for chronic diseases like stroke and heart disease.
They fight viral infections: Due to their rich content of vitamin C which is a powerful antioxidant and have antimicrobial effects; these fruits can fight of viral infections like cold, sore throat and cough; they even prevent it from entering your body by boosting your immune system.
They make the kidney healthy and reduce kidney stones: Oranges makes the kidneys healthy and they prevent painful kidney stones from forming; they are more effective than lemon juice in combating kidney stones and prevent the formation of painful kidney stones. Their rich content of potassium keeps the formation of kidney stones at bay by flushing harmful free radicals out of the kidneys.
They prevent liver cancer: Their rich content of carotenoids protects the body against liver cancer and reduces the risk of this deadly disease.
They lower the risk of stroke: The American heart association encourages people to take lots of this citrus fruit; they said taking high amount of a compound in this fruit will reduce the risk of ischemic stroke in women. According to a study; those who took the highest amount of citrus fruit had a 19% lower risk of ischemic stroke than women who consumed the least amount.
They maintain healthy teeth and bones: There have rich content of calcium which helps in maintain bones and teeth and prevents diseases associated with this tissues.
They prevent ulcers: They prevent the formation of painful ulcers in the stomach; stomach ulcers are agonizing sores that forms inside the stomach, this leads to all types of digestive problems and disorders.
A study published in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition found that people who ingested high amount of vitamin C were less likely to get stomach ulcers than those who are deficient in the vitamin. An orange is made up of 89% of vitamin C.
They support good vision: These fruits are rich in vitamin A and carotenoid compounds of vitamin A like lutein, zeaxanthine and beta-carotene; they prevent age-related macular degeneration which can lead to blindness.
Vitamin A allows your eyes to absorb light by keeping the membranes that surrounds the eyes healthy and it reduces the risk of night blindness.
They are good for the respiratory system: There are richly loaded with a phytonutrient called beta-crytoxanthine which reduces the risk of lung cancer and prevent it.
They regulate blood pressure: They contain the herperidin flavanone which can lower blood pressure but to gain this benefit from this fruit you don’t have to juice the orange because this compound is found in in the white pulpy part between the inner orange flesh and the outer skin.
They help in the development of the brain: They are rich in folate or vitamin B9 which promotes vital development of the brain, keep the organ in good working condition and prevent brain diseases and impairment.
When taken by pregnant women; it prevents the fetus from developing neurological disorders; they are also rich in polyphenols which is a phytonutrient that play an important role in the development of learning and memory functions of the brain.
They reduce the risk of diseases by neutralizing free radicals: Their rich content of vitamin C boost immune function and protect the cells by neutralizing the effects and activities of free radicals; when free radicals accumulate in the body, they cling to healthy cells and this can lead to genetic mutations and permanent damages. Free radicals are the cause of chronic diseases like cancer, heart disease and stroke.
They prevent and fight cancer: A study published in the American Journal of Epidemiology said that consuming oranges, bananas and orange juice in the first two years of life may reduce the risk of developing childhood leukemia. Oranges are very rich source of vitamin C which stops the formation and activities of free radicals which are one of the causes of cancer.
They impair the formation of cancer cells; especially colorectal cancer, high fiber and 300 oranges worth of vitamin C can lower risk of colorectal cancer. Their content of citrus limonoids helps in fighting varieties of cancer; they are effective against breast cancer, stomach and colon cancer, lung cancer, mouth cancer and skin cancer.
They prevent constipation: These fruits are good sources of soluble and insoluble fiber; these fibers keep the stomach and intestines healthy and they prevent digestive problems like constipation and irritable bowel syndrome. These fibers add bulk to digested foods and reduce the transit time of feces thereby preventing straining and constipation.
They make the heart healthy: This fruit supports a healthy heart due to its rich content of fiber, potassium, vitamin C and choline; potassium supports the functions and electrical activities of the heart. Potassium works with other electrolytes including calcium, magnesium and sodium to maintain the levels of the fluids both in and around the cells.
This steady fluid balance allows electricity to conduct through your system and this is responsible in making the heart beat. Low level of potassium leads to arrhythmia (which is abnormal heart rhythm).
They also contain hesperidin which lowers the levels of cholesterol and prevents the arteries from getting blocked; free radicals can oxidize cholesterol which then aggregate and stick to the walls of the arteries.
They improve the quality of sperm: Their rich content of vitamin C and antioxidant improves the quality and motility of sperm; this aids fertility in males by keeping them fertile. It is also rich in folic acid which maintains healthy sperm and protects sperm from genetic damage which can lead to birth defects.
They prevent diabetes: The high fiber content in oranges lowers the risk of one coming down with type 1 and type II diabetes;
They prevent hair loss and make the hair healthy: The vitamin C present in oranges helps in the production of collagen which keeps the tissues of the hair together; it also help healthy growth of hair and prevents hair and scalp problems.
They benefit the skin: Their rich content of antioxidant fight skin damage caused by sun, pollution and chemicals; they reduce wrinkle and other signs of aging, they improve the overall texture of the skin. Vitamin C also plays a vital role in the formation of collagen which is the main support system of the skin.
It detoxifies and alkalizes the body: Their rich content of vitamin A and C improves the functions of the kidneys which are the main detoxifying organs of the body; it helps the kidneys to remove all toxins from the body and this is what makes this wonderful fruit a natural detox.
It also alkalizes the body and this helps to prevent many diseases which need an acidic environment to thrive.
