Oranges: Does This Everyday Fruit Have Healing Powers?
Yes! oranges peel powder have healing properties.
The scientific name of the orange is Citrus sinens is. Oranges are known for their healing properties and in ancient Greece, they are called “God of fruits”.
Orange is a citrus fruit that has high amounts of vitamin C. It has innumerable health benefits. Here we are discussing the ten surprising healing properties of orange that you might be interested to know.
Nutrition Facts of Oranges
Oranges are World’s popular fruits, Credits: pixabay
Oranges are the World’s popular fruits and they are known for their natural sweetness. They are rich in vitamin C and anti-oxidants. Almost 60% of the recommended daily requirement of vitamin C can be obtained from vitamin C. Below is the nutritional profile of oranges.
One medium orange weighing 131 g provides 61.6 calories, 0.16 g of fat, 237 milligrams of potassium, 15.4 g of carbohydrate, 12.2 g of sugar, and 1.23 g of protein.
Oranges are composed of
Oranges contain simple sugars like glucose, fructose, and sucrose. The good news is it has a low glycemic index (31 to 51).
Oranges are low in protein and fat.
Oranges are rich in fiber like pectin, cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin.
Apart from vitamin C, the other vitamins found in oranges are thiamine (vitamin B1), and folate (vitamin B9).
Oranges contain potassium which helps in lowering the blood pressure and reducing the risks of heart diseases.
The important anti-oxidants in oranges are carotenoids and phenolics.
Oranges do not contain saturated fats or cholesterol.
The sour taste of oranges is due to the high amounts of citric acid and citrates.
How to have Oranges?
Readily available Orange juice, Credits: pixabay
Oranges can be consumed as a whole or as orange juice. But fiber content is lost in the juices. Also, when you add too much sugar to the orange juice, it can lead to weight gain and thus it becomes a poor choice. So, in general, whole oranges are a better choice.
You can have oranges in the form of fruit salad along with strawberries, pineapple, and grapes. Orange peel powder can be used for skin. Oranges are also available in the form of orange sweet essential oil.
Ten Surprising Healing Properties of Oranges
The regular consumption of oranges provides innumerable health benefits. The following are the important benefits of oranges.
Cold
Skin Health
Lowers cholesterol
Blood pressure
Heart Health
Kidney Stones Prevention
Prevention of anemia
Cancer Protection
Management of Diabetes
Nervous System
Cold
A woman with a common cold, Credits: pixabay
The vitamin C in oranges helps in the proper functioning of the immune system and protects against cold and recurrent ear infections.
Skin Health
Woman with perfect skin tone, Credits: pixabay
The high amounts of vitamin C in oranges help maintain skin health and appearance. Vitamin C helps in collagen production, and collagen supports wound healing and skin strength.
Lowers cholesterol
Recent research identified that citrus fruit peels contain Polymethoxylated Flavones (PMFs) that can lower the levels of cholesterol effectively than prescription drugs.
Blood Pressure
A man checking blood pressure, Credits: pixabay
Oranges contain high potassium and no sodium which helps maintain the blood pressure. It has been found that a cup of orange juice can boost daily potassium intake by 14%. Potassium intake helps relax and open the blood vessels, which helps lowers blood pressure.
Heart Health
Heart health, Credits: pixabay
Hesperidin is a flavonoid found in oranges that provide protective effects against heart diseases. Also, the fiber and potassium in oranges help maintain heart health.
The daily intake of orange juice for four weeks has been shown to have blood-thinning effects and could lower the blood pressure significantly.
Kidney Stones Prevention
The citric acid and the citrates in the oranges help prevent the formation of kidney stones. Patients with kidney disease are usually prescribed potassium citrate and citrates in the orange can do the same wonder.
Prevention of Anemia
Red Blood Cells, Credits: pixabay
Though oranges are not a good source of iron, vitamin C and citric acid in them help the absorption of iron from the digestive tract. When taken with iron-rich foods, oranges help prevent anemia.
Cancer Protection
As oranges are rich in antioxidants, they help fight against free radicals, thereby protecting against cancer. But the desired therapeutic effect can be attained only by consuming 300 oranges’ worth of vitamin C, which is quite unimaginable.
Pectin found in oranges acts as a natural laxative, helping in the prevention of the lining of the colon against toxins. This flavonoid-rich fruit protects against oral cancer and lung cancer.
Also, citrus peels may help prevent the reproduction, growth, and spread of cancer cells, as well as support apoptosis.
Management of Diabetes
Checking blood sugar levels, Credits: pixabay
Though oranges cannot control the levels of blood sugar, it helps the ways our body responds to insulin. As oranges are rich in fiber, it helps to keep your tummy full, limiting the requirement of further snacking, thereby helping in weight management.
Nervous System
Neurons, Credits: pixabay
The Orange Peel Powder acts as a stimulant to the nervous system and also aids in DNA repair and serotonin production. Serotonin helps promote sleep and happiness.
The folate in the oranges helps act against depression and memory problems.
The hesperidin in orange rind protects against neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s.
When to Avoid oranges?
People with acidity may not feel comfortable eating citrus fruits. They may experience an increase in their symptoms like heartburn, which is due to the high acid content in the citrus fruits.
Take-Home Message
This citrus fruit has infinite benefits to your skin, heart, and nerves.