WHY YOU MUST EAT AN ORANGE EVERY DAY

1) What’s the nutritional value of oranges?

 Oranges are loaded with vitamin C. This nutrient is essential for the growth, development, and repair of the tissues. It promotes the formation of collagen as well as the absorption of iron, supports the functioning of the immune system, and encourages the healing of wounds - along with other things. The fruit is packed with fiber as well. This maintains the health of the digestive system, and prevents issues like constipation, IBS (irritable bowel syndrome), diabetes, obesity, and heart-related diseases from surfacing.

 Oranges contain folate too. Folate is a vitamin B compound that produces DNA and RNA as well as WBCs and RBCs in the bone marrow, and transforms carbohydrates into energy. A deficiency of folate leads to fatigue, weakness in the muscles, ulcers in the mouth, vision-related issues, problems with judgement, memory, and understanding, depression, and confusion - among other symptoms. Other than folate, vitamin C, and fiber, oranges contain potassium, calcium, and thiamine as well.

2) Is it better to drink orange juice as compared to eating the fruit?

 Let dispel a misconception: drinking juice is never healthier than eating the fruit. Regardless of how fresh it is - even if you’ve just extracted juice out of an orange. It’s just not the same. According to science, regular consumption of juice leads to a sharper and quicker spike in blood sugar levels, and increases your risk of developing type 2 diabetes. And if you’re consuming a fructose-based juice from a store, you’re more susceptible to developing cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and liver disease in the future. Supermarket juices undergo multistep processing as well.

 A glass of orange juice is packed with more calories and carbohydrates than an orange. To put it into perspective, one cup of juice accounts for double the calories of one orange. And packs within it a smaller proportion of fiber as compared to the fruit. This means that the juice leaves your system quicker than usual - and you realize your cravings haven’t been satiated. And you end up drinking more juice, and consuming more calories than you intended.

3) What are the different types of oranges?

•  Navel oranges

 These oranges are sweet - and slightly bitter. You can identify one through a mark at the bottom of the fruit resembling a belly-button. One of the most common types of oranges, they're perfect for juicing (due to their inherent sweetness) as well as adding to salads (due to a lack of seeds). You can eat them raw as well.

•  Cara cara oranges

 These are sweeter than navel oranges. Cara oranges, red-fleshed in nature, are like a cross between a blood orange and a navel orange. They're also sought after for their low acidity levels, and are perfect accompaniments to snacks, juices, and raw dishes.

•  Blood oranges

 This crimson-fleshed orange is added to cocktails and preserves because of its color. They're smaller than navel oranges but bigger than tangerines. There are 3 types of blood oranges - Moro, Taracco, and Sanguinely. They're perfect for sauces, salads, and marmalade.

•   Seville oranges

  These oranges are bitter in nature. And they're used in the preparation of marmalade, salad dressings, and sauces. Because they're acidic in nature, they're not eaten as snacks. They're used for cooking instead.

•  Lima oranges

 Also known as acidless oranges, lima oranges are extremely sweet with negligible acid. Their skin is thicker in nature, and they contain seeds, but they're perfect for snacking on raw, because of how soft and juicy they are.

•  Mandarin oranges

 Even though they're referred to as oranges, mandarins aren't oranges at all. Oranges, interestingly enough, are a hybrid of pomelos and mandarins. Mandarins are small and sweet with a flattened appearance, making them perfect for salads and snacks.

•  Clementines

  Clementines don't contain any seeds. And they're popular for their sweetness. They're smooth and glossy in appearance. They're not as acidic as other oranges. This makes them very easy to snack on.

•  Tangerines

 Tangerines are small, sweet, and snackable. They're just like clementines - just less sweeter and with more seeds. They have a soft and thin skin, making them easy to peel. They're also very high in vitamin C.

•  Tangelos

 Tangelos have tight skin, and they're not easy to peel. But they're juicy, sweet, and tart on the inside. And even though they might be tough to eat raw, they're perfect for juicing.

4) How do you add oranges to your diet?

 You can consume one orange every day - in the morning, evening, or after a workout. Or incorporate the fruit into your diet in other ways. Add slices of the vitamin C-laden fruit to your go-to salad. A platter replete with oranges, kiwis, strawberries, and apples. Just add a dollop of honey, a pinch of chili powder, and a dash of lemon to spice it up. And if you’re fond of greens, add a few boiled leaves of spinach to a cup of oranges, and conclude by sprinkling a little salt as well as mango powder over the mix.

Do you like lemonade? Combine freshly-squeezed orange with freshly-squeezed lemon, and you have yourself a beverage complete with a tangy twist.

 Benefits of oranges

•  Oranges contain a multitude of nutrients and plant-based compounds like vitamin C, flavonoids, and carotenoids that reduce your risk of developing heart-related diseases, and improve the health of your heart.
•  According to studies, any diet that contains higher levels of citrus fruits protects you against chronic diseases like diabetes as well as certain types of cancers - liver, neck, mouth, head and stomach cancer.
•  Although oranges aren’t excellent sources of iron, they contain vitamin C. And vitamin C enhances your body’s ability to absorb iron. This reduces your risk of developing anemia.
•  Regular consumption of fruits containing vitamins, antioxidants, and nutrients can support the functioning of your immune system, and make you more resilient.
•  It aids your body in the production of collagen, and this accelerates the rate at which your body heals wounds.
•  Since it contains calcium, it keeps your bones, muscles, and organs strong. And the potassium in oranges lowers your blood pressure.
•  Because oranges contain antioxidants, it’s safe to say that they protect your skin from damage caused by free radicals, and help promote a youthful glow on your face. And the vitamin C in oranges can lead to a reduction of loss of hair, and boost growth. Oranges can treat dandruff as well.
•   The vitamin A in oranges contributes to the health of your eyes by maintaining the health of your mucus membranes, and prevents age-related vascular damage that can even lead to blindness.

 Another way to add oranges to your daily routine aka your skincare diet is to invest in Himalaya Tan Removal Orange Face Wash. It actively removes tan and also smoothens out your skin while removing dead cells. This results in healthy, radiant and glowing skin all year round!