Sour is not only fun, but also healthy. We explain the four things that happen when you eat citrus fruits every day.
Citrus fruits are among the most popular fruits for many people for a good reason: they are tasty, low in calories and extremely healthy. Lemons, oranges and co. Are best known for their vitamin C content. They also contain a number of other phytochemicals and antioxidants that can inhibit inflammation and prevent disease.
1. Improve heart health
The blood orange has its peak season from January to mid-March. This makes it the ideal boost for your immune system during the cold season. But there is much more to the colorful fruit: blood oranges are rich in anthocyanins, the most powerful antioxidants in nature. These water-soluble plant pigments give fruit flesh its dark red color. Anthoycans are also said to have a positive effect on the cardiovascular system by protecting the arteries and improving blood flow. They are also rich in potassium, which can reduce the risk of strokes and heart disease.
2. Strengthening the immune system
All citrus fruits are an excellent source for our vitamin C needs and are known to boost the immune system. Since our body can not produce the vitamin itself, it must be ingested with food. According to the German Nutrition Society, two oranges are enough to meet an adult’s daily requirement of vitamin C. Vitamin C can scavenge so-called free radicals in the body. As a result, it helps the immune system to produce white blood cells, which are necessary to fight pathogens.
3. Helping you lose weight
If you want to watch your calorie intake, citrus fruits are a good choice. Not only do they have few calories, but they also have some properties that can help you lose weight. For example, the dietary fiber pectin, which is mainly extracted from the peel of citrus fruits, boosts digestion and swells in the gastrointestinal tract. This in turn ensures that you are fuller for longer. Furthermore, the bitter substances it contains act as natural appetite suppressants, which can prevent food cravings. Canadian researchers at the University of Western Ontario also found that the active ingredient nobiletin, which is contained in the fruit peel, boosts fat burning and thus protects against elevated blood fat levels and obesity.
4. Improving skin health
The vitamin C contained in citrus fruits not only strengthens the immune system, but is also an essential nutrient for the production of collagen. Collagen is an important building block for the skin and the entire body. Vitamin C helps the body produce new collagen, helping to strengthen the skin’s connective tissue and prevent skin aging. Furthermore, the ingredients of citrus fruits also fight those free radicals that are caused by UV rays or nicotine consumption, for example. In addition, vitamin C allows inflammation to subside and speeds up the healing process of blemishes.