BENEFITS OF ORANGES

 The powerhouse of Vitamin C,oranges,are more than just addictively sour snacks occasionally bought on a whim from supermarkets and then forgotten until the next unique craving hits (most probably months later) This nutrition packed fruit is taken for granted when all it takes to siphon a proportionate serving of vitamins and minerals like fibre, thiamine, folate, vitamin C and potassium is only one thick peel away. 

The percentage of a person’s daily requirement of vitamin C for adults as claimed by the United States Department Of Agriculture Guidelines is 92.93% for women and 77.44% for men. And what better way to satiate your body’s humongous need for vitamin C than the citric king itself?

This notoriously underrated yet popular fruit regulates and improves skin-health, repairs injuries quicker and promotes strong skin by reducing wrinkles and skin-roughness all thanks to its abundant supply of vitamin C. Aside from vanity, oranges are scientifically proven to reduce the danger of a cardiovascular disease significantly due to flavonoids and hesperidin present in an orange. Studies prove that drinking orange juice daily for four weeks lowers blood pressure substantially and fibres present in an orange decrease blood cholesterol levels. All these effects in cumulation lowers the possibility of a heart-disease.

As we all know, oranges are a major source of citric acids and citrates. This prevents kidney stone formation. Some reports suggest oranges may even prevent anemia and although it may not contain a decent quantity of iron to sustain many red blood cells, oranges do consist of vitamin C and citric acid. These help the body absorb iron from the digestive tract more effectively.

Oranges in the form of orange-juice, just like any other fruit, is a popular alternative. Swapping natural oranges for a store-bought juice is generally healthy in balance but contains lower amounts of fibre compared to a natural orange. Furthermore, 240 ml of pure orange juice has almost identical doses of natural sugars as 2 natural oranges and is less filling. This results in excess drinking and, therefore, an increase in weight. Especially since store-bought juices contain added sugar. 

Aside from advocating a healthy body, orange-peels are known to be a welcome addition to your lifestyle. A few clean Orange peels retain the softness of brown sugar as long as the peels are replaced once a month. Adding rock-salt to half an orange peel absorbs smells and acts as a homemade air-freshener. Orange peels can be lit on fire and produce a wonderful smell too!