Orange – a traditional fruit tree. This is a fruit that contains many essential oils with a characteristic aroma, has the ability to quench thirst, and provides the body with a large amount of vitamin C. Let’s join to learn about the outstanding health benefits that oranges bring!

 Origin of oranges

Define

Orange (scientific name is Citrus sinensis Rutaceae ) is a fruit tree in the same family as grapefruit. It has a fruit smaller than a grapefruit, with thin skin. Depending on the type, when ripe, it is orange or green, with a sweet or slightly sour taste. The orange is a hybrid plant that has been grown since ancient times, possibly a cross between the grapefruit ( Citrus maxima ) and the tangerine ( Citrus reticulata ).

This is a small tree, about 10 m tall, with thorny branches and evergreen leaves about 4-10 cm long. Oranges originate from Southeast Asia, possibly from India, Vietnam or southern China.

Classify

Some types of oranges available

• Crock orange: Medium tall tree, widely adaptable, high yield. Orange Sanh is harvested during Tet, the average fruit weight is 150 – 250 g, delicious and sweet.
• Diamond orange : Diamond orange has high yield, sweet taste but has a limitation compared to other orange varieties: the fruit flesh is light yellow, the amount of juice is small, during the cultivation process, if not well cared for, it will lead to damaged citrus. easily get upset.
• Ham Lin orange : An American variety, introduced to Vietnam in 1971 through Cuba. Hamlin is an early variety that ripens in September – October, with thin skin, average fruit weight of 200 g/fruit, strong sweetness, 0 – 5 seeds/fruit.
• Xa Doai Orange: Originated from Xa Doai area, Nghi Loc district, Nghe An. Take it to high mountains, the fruit will be more beautiful. Medium tall tree, slightly spreading foliage, wide adaptability. High yield, average fruit weight 200 – 250 g/fruit, 18 – 22 seeds/fruit, delicious and fragrant, harvested in December-January.

Nutritional ingredients

Each 100 grams of oranges contains:

• 87.6 g of water
• 104 micrograms of carotene – an antioxidant vitamin
• 30 mg vitamin C
• 10.9 g of starch
• 93 mg potassium
• 26 mg calcium
• 9 mg magnesium
• 0.3 g fiber
• 4.5 mg sodium
• 7mg Chromium
• 20 mg phosphorus
• 0.32 mg iron
• Energy value is 48 kcal

Containing no fat or cholesterol, oranges are famous for their high vitamin C content and have been shown to have anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor, blood clotting inhibitor and strong antioxidant effects.

In fact, vitamin C content accounts for only 15-20% of the total antioxidants in this fruit, while other compounds have 6 times more antioxidant capacity than vitamin C: hesperidin from the abundant flavanoid. in the white fibrous peel, membrane covering orange segments and a little in orange cloves and seeds, has the ability to reduce bad cholesterol (LDL) and increase good cholesterol (HDL).

Uses of oranges

Source of vitamin C – increases the body’s resistance

Orange juice contains very high levels of Vitamin C which can help stimulate the production of white cells. Thereby strengthening the immune system and helping the body fight diseases.

Besides, orange juice also contains vitamin A, copper, folate and other nutrients that help the immune system function at its best.

In addition, thiamine (vitamin B1) found in orange juice is also highly effective in strengthening the immune system and helping the body fight attacks from outside the body.

Helps balance blood pressure

One of the popular uses of orange juice is to help lower blood pressure. Oranges are rich in potassium, which can reduce tension in blood vessels, limit the effects of sodium and help lower blood pressure naturally.

In addition, potassium in oranges can reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases, protect the heart and prevent strokes.

Regulates cholesterol and blood sugar levels in the body

The alkaloid synephrine in orange peel helps reduce the frequency of cholesterol production in the liver. A rich source of soluble fiber reduces blood cholesterol and significantly reduces the risk of heart disease.

The benefits of fiber are to help you feel full longer, slow down the breakdown of carbohydrates and prevent blood sugar levels from rising. Thus, it is not strange that oranges are a good food in controlling blood sugar levels for diabetics.

Cancer prevention

Oranges contain liminoid compounds that help the body fight cancer of the mouth, skin, lungs, breasts, stomach and colon. Additionally, the high vitamin C present in oranges also serves as a good antioxidant to protect the body’s cells.

Treat constipation

Eating or drinking orange juice for breakfast continuously for a few days will help you overcome constipation very effectively. At the same time, drinking orange juice in the morning will also give you a cheerful spirit to start a new day. Morning is also the time when the body best absorbs calcium and vitamins in oranges. Do not drink orange juice at night because it will cause difficulty sleeping.

How to use oranges

Oranges are widely grown in warm climates, and their flavor can range from sweet to sour. Oranges are usually peeled and eaten fresh, or squeezed to drink juice.

Orange peels are thick, have a bitter taste, and are often thrown away but can be processed into animal food by draining the juice with pressure and heat. It is also used as a spice or decoration in some dishes. In Oriental Medicine, orange peel is used in a number of medicinal remedies such as:

• Cure constipation: 250 g orange peel, add 2 bowls of water, cook until smooth, eat gradually throughout the day.
• Cure cough with phlegm, pound wine: 250 g orange peel (finely chopped, yellow star), half a teaspoon salt, put in 3 bowls of water, boil to 1 cup, drink 2 times a day.
• Treating edema in pregnant women: Dried orange peel, powdered, each time take a teaspoon of this powder with 30 ml of sticky rice wine, drink 3 times a day for 3-5 days.
• Cure bloating and indigestion: 250g orange peel, finely chopped, 1 pig spleen left intact, put in 3 bowls of water, simmer until one bowl remains, use both water and rice.
• Cure loss of appetite: 250 g orange peel, 50 g old ginger, all dried, powdered, mixed well and taken twice a day before meals, 1 teaspoon each time, continuously for 3-5 days .

 Note when using oranges

Some things to avoid when using orange juice:

Drink orange juice when you have stomach ulcers

Orange juice is good for health as long as it is used in the right amount and by the right people. People with stomach ulcers, duodenal ulcers or pancreatitis should stay away from this type of water. Because orange juice contains acid (ascorbic acid – vitamin C), organic substances increase stomach acid, causing heartburn and making ulcers worse.

Drink orange juice in the evening

Orange juice has a diuretic effect. Therefore, drinking a lot of these fruits in the evening will cause frequent urination and insomnia. At the same time, vitamin C in oranges also makes it harder for you to fall asleep.

Drink orange juice right before or after drinking milk

Protein in milk will react with tartaric acid and vitamin C in oranges, causing bloating, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. Therefore, you should not eat or drink orange juice right before or after drinking milk.

Through the above article has provided you with some information about the benefits, uses and some things to note when using oranges.