Oranges have been, and continue to be, one of the most popular fruits worldwide. The reasons for this include their abundance, variety, and unique taste, but there are also many health benefits of oranges. These benefits come from the unique nutritional makeup of the different varieties of oranges, and are present in products that are made from oranges such as orange juice. They are taken advantage of by millions of people every day.
The main nutritional ingredient that is known to increase the health benefits of oranges is vitamin C, and one orange can contain nearly 100 percent of the necessary daily value of this essential nutrient. Sources of vitamin C are necessary for the health of the human body because it doesn’t naturally produce its own. Vitamin C is an antioxidant that not only help boost the body’s immune system, but also is known to help prevent heart disease, aid in the healing of wounds and enhances the body’s ability to absorb iron. Beta-carotene is yet another antioxidant that is present in oranges and helps to prevent cell damage.
Another of the many benefits of oranges comes from their fiber content, which is known to improve ratios of cholesterol in the body. Fiber can also help regulate sugar levels in the blood, and this can be very helpful to some people with diabetes. The fiber in oranges can also provide a line of defense in preventing colon cancer, and there are other nutrients in oranges that can also help to prevent other types of cancer as well, including stomach cancer and cancer of the esophagus.
Oranges are rich in many other beneficial nutrients as well, including calcium, which is known to promote strong and healthy bones. A high potassium content aids in helping the balance of electrolytes in cells, and the high presence of vitamin B6 helps in the production of hemoglobin in the bloodstream. Oranges also contain magnesium, which can be responsible for keeping blood pressure at an acceptable level.
Much research is still being done today to help us understand more of the health benefits of oranges. Some possible benefits include protection against kidney stones, rheumatoid arthritis, respiratory illnesses and more. These are due to some of the many more nutrients that are found in oranges, including folic acid, vitamin B1 and vitamin A, each of which has their own list of health benefits.