How useful is an orange for the human body: what vitamins and properties of citrus

Orange is known not only for its pronounced taste properties, but also for its benefits to human he alth. The question of what is useful for eating an orange does not lose its relevance, since the fruit has a complex effect on the body.

Calorie content and chemical composition

The benefits of citrus fruit are directly related to its chemical composition, which you should familiarize yourself with when the question arises, what is rich in an orange. The composition contains the following useful components:

• retinol, which stimulates the immune system;
• ascorbic acid, which plays the role of an antioxidant and improves stress resistance;
• tocopherol, which controls the activity of the endocrine system and eliminates toxins;
• biotin, which stabilizes blood sugar.

In addition to these substances, orange fruits contain a number of other vitamins. It also contains minerals, including potassium, magnesium, and iron. The nutritional value of the fruit is 36-43 kcal per 100 g.

Benefits of orange for the body

The combination of useful macro- and microelements ensures the proper functioning of internal organs, cleanses the blood composition, improves appetite, promotes active energy production, activates the process of rejuvenation and skin renewal.

Consumption rates

In order to benefit from citrus fruits, you must adhere to a certain consumption rate. The normative indicator depends on the person's age, he alth status and other factors.

For pregnant and lactating women

If pregnancy or lactation proceeds normally, it is allowed to consume 1-2 fruits daily. Doctors allow eating not only the pulp itself, but also the ground peel of the fruit, which is saturated with useful vitamins.

Refusing the use of citrus fruits is necessary only for those expectant mothers who have been diagnosed with a disease of the gastrointestinal tract. The ability to increase the acidity of the stomach is negatively affected in the presence of ulcers or gastritis.

For kids

Children are allowed to give pure citrus fruits after reaching the age of three. The optimal consumption rate is a couple of slices per week. As you get older, you can increase the amount of fruit you eat, but it's important to do it gradually so you don't trigger allergies.

For adults

Adults only need to consume one orange 3-4 times a week to get the maximum benefit for the body. It is important to take into account individual indications and reactions to the product.

Application

The characteristic taste, pronounced aroma and useful characteristics of orange significantly increase the possibilities of its use. The fruit is used for culinary, cosmetic and medical purposes.

Cooking

The pulp, zest and juice of an orange are used in the preparation of a large number of hot dishes and desserts. Varieties with a sweet and sour taste harmonize well with poultry, fish and some vegetables. Sweet varieties are often used in combination with spices, berries, sweet fruits.

The peel of the fruit is suitable for making jams and various infusions. Marmalade, jams and marshmallows are prepared from crushed pulp. Pieces of fresh fruits are added to mulled wine, tea and other drinks to add flavor.

In home cosmetology

There are many recipes for cosmetic products using orange for face and body skin care. Masks, creams and lotions are useful for any type of skin. The properties of citrus fruits have a biostimulating effect and a rejuvenating effect. At home, you can prepare the following useful tools:

1. Fresh juice. After wetting a cotton swab in the juice, you can treat the face and neck area. After a couple of hours, the skin is rinsed with cool water and allowed to dry without wiping.
2. Grated peel in alcohol solution. Filling the finely grated peel with half a glass of alcohol, it is necessary to withstand the solution for a week, then filter and dilute with a spoonful of glycerin. The resulting lotion is suitable for porous facial skin.
3. Mask with orange juice. To make a mask, you need to mix a spoonful of oatmeal, a small amount of raw flour and the juice of one orange. To rejuvenate aging skin, it is enough to hold the mask for 20-30 minutes.

In folk medicine

A large number of folk recipes also involve the use of oranges. Due to the useful characteristics of the fruit, it can serve as a remedy.

For metabolism, immunity and gastrointestinal tract

Regular consumption of orange and the use of folk remedies containing pulp or juice help to normalize metabolism and make the functioning of the body more harmonious. The vitamins that make up the fruit enhance protective functions, fight viral infections and regulate the digestive process.

For heart and blood

The risk of heart and cardiovascular diseases is reduced by flavonoids, which are present in orange juice. Substances have antioxidant and hypoglycemic effects. Useful elements inhibit the development of inflammatory reactions occurring in the vascular system due to the frequent consumption of fatty foods.

With diabetes

In patients with diabetes, the basis of nutrition is he althy food. The diet should contain a large number of vegetables and fruits, including citrus fruits. The high antioxidant content of oranges makes them desirable for diabetics. Eating fruit saturates the body with vitamins A, C and E, as well as beta-carotene.

For prevention

Periodic consumption of citrus fruit improves immunity and keeps the body in good shape. For preventive purposes, it is enough to consume 2-4 oranges per week.

Contraindications for use

Despite the high content of useful components, in some cases, an orange can be harmful to he alth. Contraindications are the presence of stomach ulcers and acute intestinal disorders.

How to choose when buying?

When choosing fruits, you need to pay attention to a number of signs. The color of the peel should be rich and uniform, which indicates sufficient ripeness. On the fruits of sweet varieties, the peel has small patches of red.

When buying fruits, it is recommended to feel them to avoid damaged, loose and softened specimens.

Delicious and juicy fruits, as a rule, have an increased mass, so you should choose heavier fruits. Ripe fruits also have a pronounced sweet aroma.

How to store oranges at home?

At standard room temperature, oranges can be stored for up to a week without losing their original characteristics. In the refrigerator, the fruits are stored for several weeks, depending on the degree of their ripening.It is allowed to keep fruits in dark and cool rooms with low humidity.

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