“An orange a day…” may not be the traditional saying, but given the health benefits of citrus, it should be up there with the apple as a way to keep the doctor away. The perfect mix of tang, tart and sweet, delicious oranges, grapefruit, lemons, limes and their lesser-known relatives are a wonderfully easy way to boost your mind and body.
Check out some of the health benefits of citrus:
• Drop Pounds. Fiber and water are the name of the game when it comes to filling, satisfying citrus. All those grapefruit diets aren’t wrong – try eating a half of one each morning, along with a healthy diet and exercise.
• Heart Guardians. Boost your good cholesterol and lower the bad stuff the natural way, by chowing down on flavonoid-rich oranges, grapefruit, lemons and limes.
• Immunity with A-Peel (Ha!). Packing more than 100% of your daily recommended Vitamin C dose, oranges (and citrus in general) can’t keep you from catching cold, but they can make your symptoms more bearable.
• Look & Feel Good Longer. Vitamins A & C in citrus, particularly oranges, also helps prevent hair loss, protects your vision, helps slow the skin’s aging process, and keeps your stomach and intestines healthy.
• Make Smart Babies… & Adults. We know that folic acid is a must for moms-to-be, but the brain-boosting properties of oranges also help keep an adult brain functioning at its best.
• Prevent Cancer. Most citrus contains a special type of antioxidant that protects your body against many types of cancer. Plus, you’re simultaneously boosting your immunity, in turn fighting off cancer cells.
• Sayonara, Sodium! Keep your salt intake down while still pleasing your taste buds by using citrus in its place.
Citrus foods you need to know:
The numerous health benefits of citrus aren’t the only reasons to get to know these tasty little lifesavers. As the culinary world continues to churn out more and more avant garde dishes, you’re sure to find some of these less-popular yet incredibly satisfying citrus family members on the menu:
• Blood Orange. I don’t want to play favorites, but nothing beats a piece of citrus that also smacks of raspberries. Though smaller than an average orange, this intense variety packs huge flavor and a bright red – bordering on maroon – interior.
• Cara Cara Orange. Don’t let it’s “normal” orange disguise fool you… this sweet and tangy navel variety has just a hint of cranberries, accompanied by a beautiful pink/red pulp color.
• Kumquat. This seasonal delicacy is tangy, sweet and as tasty as any ol’ citrus fruit, but with one huge bonus: you even get to eat the peel.
• Meyer Lemon. More round than a typical lemon, this China native has been in the U.S. for 100+ years but only became popular when big culinary names rediscovered its sweeter, less-acidic dark yellow pulp.
• Minneola Tangelo. Grapefruit and tangerines are amazing on their own, so you can just imagine how good the combination of tart and sweet tastes in one refreshing combo fruit.
• Pomelos. Though they resemble grapefruit, these large fruits are sweeter and less-acidic, and boast a yellow/green skin and a pulp that ranges from white to deep pink.
• Yuzu. If you haven’t seen this bitter orange variety on the menu, you haven’t dined at enough fancy schmancy restaurants. This mandarin-sized golden fruit has a pale flesh and unique, lime-like fragrance.
Now that we’ve increased your citrus knowledge, swing by Raw Juicing & Detox – especially during the winter months – to see what we’ve cooked up with these delicious, healthy and natural treats.