Do you know why so many people across the world like to start their day with a glass of orange juice? That’s because they’ve discovered the wonderful health benefits of oranges. You can also take advantage of the goodness and taste of these citrus fruits by adding them to your diet in some form.

Oranges are not only delicious to eat, they also come packed with plenty of essential nutrients that help prevent and cure various ailments. For starters, they help keep infections at bay, reduce the risk of lung cancer, and keep blood pressure under control. Here are some of the other health benefits of oranges.

Five Health Benefits Of Oranges You Can’t Afford To Ignore

Most people know that oranges are rich in Vitamin C and help fight the common cold. But that is not all this popular fruit does. It also:

1. Keeps Your Arteries Healthy

   The Vitamin C present in oranges is a water-soluble vitamin that plays an important role in forming collagen, which is a key component in the structure of the arteries. As a result, doctors recommend eating oranges, as they keep the arteries strong and healthy, ensuring smooth blood flow.

   Researchers at the Ulleval University Hospital, Norway, have pointed out that Vitamin C may prove effective in preventing heart disease, as this vitamin boosts artery health.

   

   According to a research study conducted by this university, and published in the journal “Nutrition, Metabolism and Cardiovascular Diseases”, it was observed that elderly men who increased their intake of Vitamin C experienced decreased solidification of the carotid artery in comparison to other elderly men, who didn’t modify their vitamin C intake. The carotid artery is responsible for transporting blood to the brain, and heart.

2. Increases Bone Strength

   Oranges are also beneficial in increasing bone strength. This is due to the presence of magnesium, whose effectiveness has been documented by the following research study carried out by head researcher Kathryn Ryder and her associates.

   The research study was aimed at determining the link between bone mineral density and intake of magnesium. The participants of the research study were requested to fill up a questionnaire about their usual intake of this essential mineral, in the form of supplements and foods. After that, they were subjected to a bone mineral density test, whose results showed that the participants with a higher intake of magnesium had higher bone density than their counterparts who took in less amount of magnesium.

   Decreases Bad Cholesterol Levels

   Oranges also help decrease the levels of bad cholesterol in the bloodstream, reducing the risk of developing heart disease or suffering from a stroke. Although cholesterol is required for good health, excess amount of this substance in its unhealthy form does trigger unwanted effects on the body.

   As oranges contain Polymethoxylated Flavones (PMFs), they help fight cholesterol more effectively than some prescription drugs, and what’s more, unlike the drugs, they don’t cause side effects.

   The research team at Sao Paulo State University, Brazil, conducted a study on the effectiveness of oranges in decreasing bad cholesterol. The study involved the intake of 750 ml of orange juice for a period of 60 days. At the end of the study, it was observed that the participants who drank orange juice experienced greater reduction in bad cholesterol levels, than other participants who drank another beverage. The researchers concluded that the effectiveness of this fruit lies in the fact that it contains flavonoids.

3. Controls Blood Sugar Levels

   Oranges make a healthy snack at any time of the day. They have a high satiety index, which means if you’re feeling hungry before mealtimes, eating an orange can drive those hunger pangs away and leave your stomach satisfied. Also, as the sugar content in oranges is in the form of fructose, it helps control blood sugar levels in diabetics.

   Now you know what to do when you feel like having a midnight snack, just eat an orange.

   

4. Fights The Signs Of Aging

   Oranges have plenty of antioxidants, which counter the free radicals that cause aging. No wonder they can be effective in keeping skin looking young and radiant. Eat oranges often and amaze people with your youthful looks.

The health benefits of oranges are all yours, as long as you add this fruit to your diet in some way – have a glass of orange juice for breakfast, or grab an orange on your way out to work, or just add it to a fruit salad, but ensure you don’t miss out on this healthy fruit.