The orange it’s a fruit which hides really interesting therapeutic properties. But what are the properties and benefits of oranges.

They are among the most consumed fruits, renowned for their juicy taste and rich nutrient content. In addition to being delicious, they are also a valuable source of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants that provide numerous health benefits.

This citrus fruit is the fruit of Cytrus Sinensisan evergreen plant of Rutaceae which can measure up to 12 meters in height and produces up to 500 fruits every year.

The fruits of the treeorange they have a round shape, a bright orange color and a particular flavor halfway between sour and sweet.

Plural orange: oranges or oranges?

Before understanding what benefits does orange bringlet’s dispel a doubt regarding the Italian language.

It’s not that uncommon to wonder how to spell the plural of orangeespecially due to social media and the influences of the spoken language. Oranges or oranges? The correct form is oranges.

We remind you that words that end in “cia” and “gia” but are preceded by a consonant have the plural in “ce” and “ge” respectively.

Varieties of oranges

It is currently possible to consume up to 400 different varieties, many of which are grown in Sicily.

Among the most famous varieties stand out the Tarocco orangesMoro, Sanguinello, Washington Navel, Navelina, Valencia, Belladonna and Ovale.

The oranges they have a period of harvesting for seven months a year: from October with the Navel, until June with the Valencia and the Ovale, from December to March with the Tarocco and the Moro.

All varieties can be distinguished into sweet oranges (consumed as fresh fruit) or bitter oranges (also used to produce essential oils and digestive products).

Oranges, the benefits for the body

The beneficial properties are linked to the presence of amino acids, vitamin A, vitamin C, group B vitamins, vitamin J, beta-carotene, lutein, folic acid, calcium, magnesium and potassium.

Furthermore, these citrus fruits hide a low calorie intake (around 34 calories per 100 g of orange), a real panacea for the figure. How good are oranges??

• Immune system – The percentage of vitamin C is sufficient to strengthen the immune system and support the body against viruses, bacteria and degenerative diseases.
• Free radicals – Vitamin C and bioflavonoids counteract the oxidative action of free radicals: premature aging and various pathologies.
• Anemia – Organic acids can improve the absorption of iron in the intestine and contribute to the management of mild forms of anemia.
• Constipation – Pectin has laxative qualities that stimulate the expulsion of toxic substances while dietary fiber increases the volume of stool and avoids episodes of constipation.
• Cognitive Function – The richness of flavonoids would have a positive impact on cognitive function and improve memory.
• Cholesterol – The flavonoid hesperidin seems capable of reducing the amount of “bad” cholesterol and therefore keeping blood pressure under control.
• Heart disease – The mix of fibers and flavonoids develops a protective action on the heart and hinders the onset of heart disease.
• Digestion – These citrus fruits contain a high percentage of dietary fiber which positively influences the intestinal flora, improves digestion and avoids abdominal bloating.
• Weight – Dietary fiber increases the sense of satiety and prevents you from overeating between meals. Plus the oranges they have nutritional values definitely light!
• Skin – Vitamin C prevents cellular aging, promotes collagen formation and maintains skin tone and elasticity while vitamin A helps prevent skin blemishes.
• Cancer – Some research has underlined the anti-tumor capabilities of antioxidant substances and natural molecules in the peel.

How to use oranges in cooking

The oranges they have characteristics unique ones that distinguish them from any other citrus fruit and can be consumed naturally, in fruit salad, juice or as an extra ingredient in sweet and savory dishes.

To obtain maximum benefits it is best to consume the fruits in segments, but if you want to enjoy one Orange juice then it is better to consume it fresh and avoid filtering the juice too much.

From juice to peel, in fact, it can enrich fish and meat dishes (e.g. pork ribs with orange, duck in orange sauce or herring scented with orange) or perfume a dessert (e.g. orange cake, orange donut, orange plumcake, Orange biscuits, orange chiffon cake or caramelized oranges). Why not prepare one too orange cream?

You can use the fruit segments together with various vegetables (e.g. fennel and orange salads), the peel is useful for preparing liqueurs and candied oranges while the pulp is used to produce the Orange jam.

Oranges: Contraindications

The consumption of oranges it has no details contraindicationsbut should be limited in cases of gastritis or stomach acidity due to citric acid and ascorbic acid.

It goes without saying that it is preferable not to consume them in the evening to avoid the supine position giving rise to acidity and gastrointestinal reflux.

Lastly, these citrus fruits should not be consumed on an empty stomach in case of diarrhea due to their laxative effect.