Oranges would have more appeal if there were less to peel, according to a new study in Great Britain. Instead of eating oranges, Britons prefer easy to peel fruits like satsuma mandarines. People in the study said that oranges were too hard to peel, took too long, were messy and had a strong smell. So why would anyone bother to eat an orange?
The number one reason to eat oranges is that they are sweet and delicious. They can be juiced or eaten in segments, slices or wedges. They are easy to pack in a lunchbox and the packaging is fully biodegradable. Also, according to the National 2 and 5 campaign, we all need at least 2 serves of fruit and 5 serves of vegetables every day. Even Cookie Monster from Sesame Street has joined the healthy eating campaign and now tells kids that sweets are “sometimes foods” while fruits and vegetables are “anytime foods”.
But beyond that, here are some more reasons oranges can improve your life:
Oranges help prevent heart disease, degenerative brain disorders and birth defects. Oranges are a natural source of potassium, which reduces the risk of high blood pressure and stroke. Potassium also helps the heart and kidneys to function properly and balances the body’s electrolytes.
Oranges are also high in folate, which is good for a lot of things. Folate and B vitamins help break down the harmful homocysteine in the blood stream. Homocysteine that is associated with heart and circulation problems, especially strokes.
Folate is also good for preventing Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease, because of its ability to support cell division. Pregnant women should eat foods high in folate, such as oranges. Folate is good for the mother-to-be, because it supports conception and the development of a healthy placenta. It is also good for the baby because it helps prevent brain or spinal cord defects.
An Orange a Day … may help prevent cancer. Oranges help prevent cancer. They contain antioxidants, phytochemicals, flavanones and limonoids, that may prevent cancer cell growth, detoxify cancer-causing agents and support the immune system to clear up pre-cancerous cells. Also, the folate in oranges prevents damage to our DNA, and is an important support for cells and tissues that divide rapidly. Folate supports the synthesis, repair, and functioning of DNA. Healthy DNA replication is essential in preventing cancer.
Oranges help with depression - People who are depressed are often deficient in folic acid. Vitamin B9, also known as folate, may play a role in depression in the elderly. Folic acid also appears to reduce the high levels of homocysteine associated with some forms of depression.
Lose weight and feel satisfied longer. Research has shown that eating oranges can leave you feeling satisfied and not hungry for up to 4 hours, because they contain fiber. Dr. Liz Applegate, a nutritionist and faculty member at the University of California, Davis explains it this way, “while eating, people respond to the volume of food they eat. Eating an orange will leave you feeling satisfied longer than an unhealthy, high-calorie, dense snack such as candy or chips because oranges provide fewer calories for significant volume.”
Oranges are a great cold preventative. One orange provides all the vitamin C we need for the day. Vitamin C and the antioxidants in oranges support our immune system, helping us not to get sick and recover quickly if we do.
Reduces cholesterol. The limonoids in oranges support the liver and prevent high cholesterol levels.
What a wonderous fruit the orange is! But if you’re still thinking they are too hard to eat, here are a few ways that make eating oranges easy.
