It’s the season for citrus and I couldn’t be happier! I love citrus fruits and the fall and winter months are the best time of year for them. Last week I had some fantastic navel oranges and this week I just picked up some clementines. Some of the other citrus fruits that are in season now include: grapefruits, tangerines, tangelos and many varieties of oranges.
What’s so great about citrus fruits is that they taste great and are super nutritious. They provide many health benefits. Most people associate citrus fruits with vitamin C but they provide so much more than that.
- They are full of fiber. Citrus fruits have a good amount of fiber per serving. Fiber is very important for gastrointestinal health. It is also associated with lowering cholesterol and helping to prevent heart disease. One orange can provide up to 12% of your recommended daily intake of fiber.
- They contain phytonutrients. The phytonutrients in citrus fruits include flavanones, which have been shown to lower high blood pressure as well as cholesterol in animal studies and to have strong anti-inflammatory properties. To get all of the flavanones, try eating the whole fruit. Some of the flavanones are lost when making juice since some are found in the rind.
- They are high in antioxidants. The main source of antioxidants from citrus fruits is vitamin C. One orange provides about 115% of your recommended daily intake of vitamin C. Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that has been found to attack free radicals and protect cells in the body. This action can help prevent things such as inflammation and cancer. Citrus has been found to be particularly protective against esophageal, oro-phayngeal/laryngeal (mouth, larynx and pharynx) and stomach cancers. Vitamins A and E are also found in citrus and are important for eye health.
- They can boost metabolism. Another flavanoid in citrus called naringenin may help promote weight loss. Researchers have found that large amounts of this flavanoid cause the liver to burn excess fat instead of store it. More research is needed but another great reason to eat citrus.
- They are great for overall health. Citrus fruits contain hundreds of nutrients. They have no saturated fat, trans fat or high fructose corn syrup. They are low in sodium. They have a low glycemic index. They contain over 170 phytochemicals and over 60 healthy flavanoids. And, they taste great.
I highly recommend including some citrus fruits in your diet. It’s the best time of year to enjoy them. Try some organic citrus if you can. Organic citrus will have no dyes or pesticides however citrus fruits have a pretty protective outer layer. Try some today. Not only will you get a great tasting snack, you will get a boost to your overall health.
- Jennifer
Related Articles
Sensei Talks: Healing Foods
Sensei Talks: Foods to Tame Your Tension
Labels: fruits and vegetables, Jennifer
|
Eating real foods, the way to go! I much rather have the orange or apple than the juice!