Citrus fruits have long been known to have many health benefits. In the days of the first ocean crossings, sailors often became sick with scurvy due to vitamin C deficiencies caused by a lack of citrus fruits. Even though vitamin C deficiency is no longer such a problem, many people do not eat enough citrus fruits.
That is a shame since citrus fruits are among the most delicious, and most nutritious, fruits available. Whether you have a grapefruit at breakfast or an orange at lunch, adding more citrus to your diet can do wonders for your healthy eating program.
Of course, citrus fruits are not limited to the standard oranges and grapefruits. Most major grocery stores have an endless variety of citrus fruits on their shelves, including pineapples, tomatoes, lemons kumquats, mandarin oranges, tangerines, and lemons.
Everyone knows that citrus fruits have large amounts of vitamin C to offer. However, many citrus fruits have significant levels of other important nutrients, such as potassium, as well. Did you know that there are 5 Foods which have more Vitamin C than lemons? Click here to find out.
Let’s take a closer look at what citrus fruits have to offer.
What Benefits Do Citrus Fruits Have?
Vitamin C
Vitamin C is the first thing that comes to mind when most people think of citrus fruits. It is true that most citrus fruits are simply full of this important vitamin. Perhaps vitamin C is the most studied of all vitamins, and it has shown promise in shortening the duration of colds, helping wounds heal faster, and protecting the body from the damaging effects of free radicals.
Vitamin C is essential for healthy skin and gums. Since vitamin C is a water-soluble vitamin, we must consume sufficient quantities of it every day. Unlike fat-soluble vitamins, vitamin C won’t store in the body. That is why eating at least a few servings a day of citrus fruits and another vitamin C rich foods are so important. Luckily, getting the recommended daily amount of vitamin C is not difficult. As a single orange contains 150% of the government’s recommended daily allowance of vitamin C.
Click here and read and learn all you need to know about Vitamin C which you didn’t know before.
Fiber
We often overlook the fiber content as a benefit of citrus fruits. After all, most people picture cereals and grains when they think of fiber. Even so, citrus fruits are a good source of dietary fiber, including the all-important soluble fiber. Fiber plays a vital role in digestion. Studies have indicated that it may help to reduce levels of cholesterol in the blood. Besides, it reduces the risk of some kinds of cancer. There are other superfoods which can prevent and fight cancer that you can find in our previous article about super foods.
Folic acid (Folate)
Folate or folic acid plays a vital role in early pregnancy. So all women of childbearing age are encouraged to consume adequate amounts of this important nutrient. That is because one of the most critical times in a pregnancy takes place before the woman knows she is pregnant. In addition to its importance in preventing many neural tube birth defects, folic acid also aids in the production of mature red blood cells. It also helps to prevent anemia. Citrus fruits are an excellent source of folic acid.
Potassium
Oranges are particularly high in potassium, as are non citrus fruits like bananas. Potassium is vital to maintaining a proper fluid balance in the body, and for transmitting signals between nerve cells. Potassium levels can be affected by excess caffeine consumption and by dehydration. So it is important to consume adequate levels of potassium every day.
With all these things going for them, it is easy to see why citrus fruits are so important to the diet. No matter what your ultimate fitness goal, a diet rich in citrus fruits will help to get you off to the right start. And with the many varieties of citrus fruits to choose from, it is easy to spice things up. Bring variety to your healthy eating plan as well.
