Photo courtesy of @RhythmGirls
ATTENTION: If they aren’t already there, it’s time to add citrus fruits to your shopping list! Not only are they beautiful, they offer a wide range of health benefits that you may not have known about. Citrus fruits contain properties that help prevent tons of health concerns, from cardiovascular disease and cancer, to skin damage from sunlight. In addition to fiber and vitamin C, citrus fruits such as oranges, grapefruit, and lemons supply calcium, potassium, folate, and vitamin A to our bodies. These guys definitely deserve to be more than just a garnish!
So, what do we think is the best part about citrus fruits? Flavonoids! Flavonoids are a group of substances responsible for the fruit’s color and bitter flavor. They’re also antioxidants that reduce inflammation and may prevent cancer by helping your body eliminate carcinogens and killing cancer cells. The membranes and white pith of the fruit contain a high proportion of flavonoids, that means eat the whole thing! Eating the entire fruit may supply up to five times more flavonoids than you would get from a glass of juice. No complaints here!
Oranges tend to get all the glory when it comes to vitamin C (one medium orange has 70 mg, which satisfies nearly 100% of your daily needs), but a grapefruit actually has 88 mg, says Kerry Neville, a registered dietitian in Seattle. The juice of one medium lemon meets 25% of your daily vitamin C requirements, while one lime comes in at 18%. Grapefruits are also an excellent source of vitamin A, an essential vitamin that helps promote healthy vision. Just half a grapefruit contains 31% of the daily recommended amount of vitamin A.
All citrus fruits contain fiber, which helps you feel full longer. That’s also why it’s better to eat the fruit itself rather than just drink fruit juice. Oranges have the most fiber of all citrus fruits, grapefruits come in second. About 60 to 70 percent of the total fiber in an orange or grapefruit is the soluble type that lowers cholesterol and helps prevent spikes in blood sugar.
Citrus fruits are a super easy way to freshen up almost any meal or drink. Whether it’s spritzing some lemon on your chicken at dinner or adding half a grapefruit to you morning routine, citrus fruits are a sure way to add a little zing to your dish and get some serious health benefits! The easiest way to get your dose of citrus? Add a hint of citrus to your daily smoothie! Our go-to is adding a bit of grapefruit to the Good Morning Maca Smoothie from our Quick and Clean Salads & Smoothies Recipe Book with Goofy Foot Foods. For only $5 you can download this recipe and so much more! Now go get sippin on some citrus!
Sources:
SF Gate
Woman’s Day
