Oranges - Health Benefits, Facts and Recipes [Infographic]

Oranges - Health Benefits, Facts and Recipes
Infographic from Just Add Good Stuff

Sweet, juicy, organically grown, fresh oranges are a superfood that is rich in many important and essential naturally occurring vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, phytochemicals (phytonutrients) and many other nutrients, including anti-inflammatory agents, carotenoid compounds, vitamins B1 and C, folate, potassium, copper, pantothenic acid, calcium, pectin and dietary fiber.

Its no wonder then, that regular consumption of oranges (and certain other citrus fruits) are thought to confer a wide range of health benefits, some of which include:

✿ Helps to prevents certain types of cancer - notably liver, skin, lung, breast, stomach and colon cancer

✿ Promotes heart health

✿ Aids in lowering the risk for ischemic stroke

✿ Reduces the risk of kidney stones and helps to prevention of kidney disease

✿ Lowers cholesterol

✿ Regulates high blood pressure

✿ Protects against viral infections

✿ Aids in detoxification of harmful toxins

✿ Reduces fine lines and wrinkles, fights skin damage, and generally improves the overall texture of skin

✿ Alkalizes the body

✿ Relieves constipation

✿ Promotes weight loss including belly fat

Along with describing some of the key health benefits of oranges, this infographic also contains nutrition data and some interesting facts about oranges.  The three recipes referenced in the infographic, together with other great information about health, nutrition, diets and fitness can be found at: Just Add Good Stuff - Just Add Oranges!

 It should be noted that because of the relative high content of sugar in orange and other fruit juice, especially commercially prepared juice, and the presence of certain banned or harmful substances in some imported juice, health experts generally advise to avoid drinking juice and instead to eat the whole fruit.

By eating the whole orange, you get the benefit of the natural dietary fiber generally present in whole plant foods.   Fiber slows down the absorption of sugar into the bloodstream.  Keeping blood sugar levels steady helps prevent insulin spikes.  Spikes in insulin can lead to insulin resistance or metabolic syndrome, which are associated with diabetes, obesity, heart disease, high blood pressure and other medical conditions. Insulin spikes can also lock fat into cells promoting weight gain (especially in the abdominal area) and preventing weight loss.




Related:
12 Healthy Reasons to Eat Fruit
15 Foods to Include in an Everyday Diet
15 Foods to Boost Metabolism