Health Benefits of Oranges – A Natural Superfood
Health Benefits of Oranges – A Natural Superfood
We often take for granted the simple fruit many of us see daily. Oranges grow bountifully on the trees in the yards of many of my family and friends throughout the USA. Often ignored in favor of processed foods from our local grocery stores, oranges are a 100% natural superfood with many health and healing benefits.
Vitamin C: Also known as ascorbic acid, the recommended daily allowance of Vitamin C is 200-1000 mg. An orange contains almost 100 mg of this nutrient. Vitamin C is used in the treatment and prevention of most cancers because of its protection from free radicals. It also helps prevent and treat atherosclerosis, heart disease, infections, colds and flu, asthma attacks, lung inflammation, cataracts and glaucoma. How many of us reach for the Vitamin C when we are experiencing a cold?
Vitamin C is important for blood clotting and preventing bruising, is required for tissue growth and repair, adrenal gland function and healthy gums. It increases the absorption of iron, boosts natural immune defenses and kills bacteria. Vitamin C aids in reducing cholesterol levels and high blood pressure as it keeps cholesterol from oxidizing and building up. Vitamin C is needed to make connective tissue for bones, to build strong blood vessels and in the production of elastin for healing of wounds. Vitamin C also helps control blood sugar levels. No wonder it is considered one of the most important nutrients for the body.
Fiber: The recommended intake of fiber is 25 to 35 grams daily. The fleshy portion of an orange contains about 3.1 grams of fiber, making it a great source for your dietary requirements. Include the orange zest in your diet and the fiber increases to 6 grams per fruit. Combine this with other fruits and vegetables and you can easily provide the fiber you need daily. 2 medium oranges without utilizing the peel, 2 medium bananas and 2 medium apples daily will more than meet your fiber needs.
Natural Oils: Oranges contain natural oil in the skin. This oil acts as a natural exfoliator and moisturizer for your skin. Combined with the Vitamin C benefits, oranges will keep your skin looking young and smooth.
Cancer fighter: Vitamin C is an important cancer fighter. When my dad was diagnosed with Stage IV liver and prostate cancer, we took matters out of the hands of traditional medicine. After testing for Vitamin deficiencies we started Vitamin C IV’s for 2 weeks. The results in health were amazing. Besides the benefits of Vitamin C in oranges, the peel contains a flavonoid called hesperidin, which is a natural cancer fighter, with added benefits of lowering bad cholesterol and normalizing blood pressure.
Sweet, very affordable, nutrient packed: The average unpeeled orange provides 3.1 grams of fiber, 1 gram of protein and approximately 69 calories of energy, 48 of which is from natural sugars. The orange contains 60 mg of calcium, 15 mg of magnesium, and 232 mg of potassium. It is a great source of Vitamin C, folate, choline, Vitamin A and beta carotene. The orange is a definite powerfood.
Uses for orange peel: Orange peels are useful for exfoliating scrubs, orange peel oil baths are beneficial to the skin, orange zest has cancer fighting properties and enhances many cooking and baking recipes, dried orange peel contains oil and works great as high octane kindling fuel to start any fire, fresh orange peel acts as a natural cat, slug and ant repellant when sprinkled around your garden, orange peel is a deodorizer, orange peel can help revitalize and soften hard brown sugar, fresh orange peel rubbed on your skin will repel mosquitoes, the oil from the peels works as a degreaser, orange peel is a natural aroma therapy for depression, and orange peel has been used by the Chinese for centuries to help lower high blood pressure. Beyond the benefits of the fleshy portion of the orange, you can see that the entire orange has many uses.
As you can see, oranges are a powerhouse all-natural superfood to be included in your diet. The orange is definitely an amazing food. If you are one of the fortunate to have your own trees producing oranges, don’t let this valuable fruit go to waste. Provide the excess to the homeless and to foodbanks. Enjoy the fruit God provides and bless others as well.