You Need To See The 7 Surprising Health Benefits Of Oranges You Don't Know

Oranges are a delicious fruit with a tangy flavor and an uplifting smell. They are packed with vitamins A, B and C, calcium, magnesium, potassium, phosphorus, choline and other nutrients.

Plus, the fruit has more than 170 phytochemicals and over 60 flavonoids with strong anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. Thus, it combats diseases, provides nutrition and fights aging effects.

Here are the top 7 health benefits of oranges.

1. Boosts Immunity

Being a citrus fruit, oranges are loaded with vitamin C that is essential for strengthening the immune system. Vitamin C promotes the production of white blood cells that fight against viruses, bacteria and other foreign invaders.
Moreover, oranges contain plenty of polyphenols that protect against viral infections. Plus, they provide vitamin A, folate and copper, all nutrients that play a crucial role in boosting immunity.
Eat a few oranges or drink a glass or two of orange juice daily to give a boost to your immune system.

2. Lowers Cholesterol

Oranges contain pectin, a soluble fiber that traps cholesterol and eliminates it from the body before it is absorbed in the bloodstream. Plus, they contain the flavonone hesperidin that has been found to lower cholesterol as well as blood pressure levels.

So, include an orange as well as a glass of fresh orange juice in your regular diet to combat cholesterol problems. Drinking two glasses of fresh orange juice daily will also help lower high blood pressure.

3. Heart Healthy

Being rich in antioxidants, folate and potassium, oranges are great for heart health. The antioxidants, particularly vitamin C, present in oranges protect the arteries from free radicals and prevent the oxidation of cholesterol.

So, eat a fresh orange or drink a glass of orange juice daily to maintain heart health.

4. Prevents Kidney Stones

The high vitamin C present in oranges is excellent for kidney health too. It helps reduce the risk of developing calcium oxalate kidney stones by increasing the level of citrate in the urine, which neutralizes acids and inhibits kidney stone formation by reducing the crystallization of uric acid and calcium oxalate.

5. Aids Weight Loss

Oranges are an incredible superfood for weight loss. The high fiber and vitamin C content of the fruit promotes weight loss.

The fiber keeps you feeling full and helps you eat less throughout the day and vitamin C converts glucose into energy and helps burn fat. Plus, oranges are a great low-calorie and fat-free source of nutrients required for a healthy body.

For best results, start your day with an orange and also drink a glass of fresh orange juice daily. Stay away from packaged fruit juices though, as many are loaded with sweeteners and preservatives.

6. Prevents Cancer

Oranges also help prevent cancer because of their antioxidant compounds, such as hesperidin and naringenin that fight free radicals.

Zeaxanthin and carotenoids, in particular, protect against different types of cancers, especially prostate cancer. The compounds called limonoids present in the fruit fight cancers of the mouth, breast, lung, skin, stomach and colon.

7. Keeps Eyes Healthy

Yellow and orange-colored fruits and vegetables are excellent for eyes as they are rich in beta-carotene, a precursor to vitamin A which is vital for your eyes.