WHAT ARE BLOOD ORANGES?
Blood orange, also called red orange, is a citrus fruit, owned by the oranges family, but is red. Its dark flesh color is due to its anthocyanin contents. The main compound found in blood orange is Chrysanthemin or cyanidin 3-O-glucoside.
In this article, we are going to cover all 11 surprising health benefits of blood oranges and their nutritional value. The skin of red oranges can be harder to peel than that of other oranges. Compared to other oranges, red oranges have a unique flavor. The pulp is milder than the other varieties of oranges.
These oranges have many health advantages in combating disorders and ailments. And, vitamin C content and folic acid in these oranges are essential for good health.
BLOOD ORANGE NUTRITIONAL VALUE
About 100 grams of blood orange contains about (✔️) —
- 50 calories
- 11.4 g total carbohydrate
- 214 IU vitamin A
- 51.4 mg vitamin C
- 42.9 mg calcium
Apart from these nutrients, it is also a great source of anthocyanin, folic acid, and many other healthy antioxidants. The main health benefits of blood oranges may include —
1. Rich Source Of Anthocyanin
Anthocyanin is responsible for giving blood oranges red color. It is a basic natural compound that is responsible for giving color to fruits, plants, and vegetables.
Experts believe that this compound has some anti-inflammatory properties, which affect collagen, and help to prevent cancer, diabetes, bacterial infections, and many cardiovascular diseases.
Research states that blood oranges also help to prevent blood vessels from oxidative damage. Studies also suggest that they may help against the illness that comes with age.
2. Rich In Vitamin A
Blood oranges are rich in vitamin A, a necessary vitamin for your body. Vitamin A maintains the health of certain tissues such as the retina. This vitamin also helps in growth and keeps your skin healthy. It also promotes the regular development of skeletal tissues and teeth.
3. Good Source Of Vitamin C
Vitamin C is the main reason that you’ll want to eat red oranges. This vitamin is not produced by the human body, therefore you have to obtain it from external sources. Since red orange is a citrus fruit, it is a great source of vitamin C, which is also known as ascorbic acid. It plays a vital role in preventing scurvy disease (vitamin C deficiency).
Vitamin C is required to perform many metabolic functions in the body. It can aid in repairing tissues and ensures healthy gums. It also helps to heal wounds and shows benefits to adrenal gland function. Two red oranges are enough to comply with the recommended daily intake of vitamin C.
4. Rich In Folic Acid
Folic acid is also known as vitamin B9. Research reveals that folic acid helps fight against cancer and cardiovascular disease. Folic acid is normally recommended for pregnant ladies before conception as it plays a vital role in forming red blood cells in the human body and thus prevents birth-related defects.
5. Increase Immunity
The anthocyanin and vitamin C in blood oranges can combat and prevent fatal diseases. Vitamin C increases the resistance of the body to maintain infections. They also help reduce inflammation in the body, which results in swelling and pain. In treating the problem of scurvy, the vitamin content of red oranges is known to aid.
6. Blood Orange For Fetus Development
Blood oranges are vital to maturation and the growth of the mother’s fetus health. Pregnant women should add red oranges to their diet for the health of their infants.
7. For Healthy Skin
Studies reveal that blood orange extracts contain anti-inflammatory properties and plenty of antioxidants.
Antioxidants and other active ingredients in red orange help to protect your body from the bad effects of free radicals. Free radicals are unstable molecules that accelerate the development of many degenerative diseases and early aging of the skin.
Free radicals in large amounts form when your body is exposed to pollution, cigarette smoke, toxic wastes, drugs, strenuous exercising, and UV radiation. In general, the extract from red oranges may help your body to protect and heal itself.
8. Helps Your Liver
Consumption of red oranges prevents pointless fat deposition around the organs, such as the liver that may lead to stomach fat. Blood oranges help to destroy free radicals within the body, which could lead to cancerous growth and therefore prevent the deadly disease. They protect blood cells from oxidative stress and protect against the toxicity build-up right up within the body.
9. Blood Orange For Heart Health
The nutrients in blood oranges ease the proper flow of blood within the body, which helps in the healthful functioning of your heart. It controls low-density lipoprotein (LDL or bad cholesterol) from rising and anthocyanins protect against oxidative harm to the blood vessels.
10. For Strong Bones
The calcium content of blood oranges helps in the growth of bones within the body. It increases bone density and protects them from harm.
11. Red Orange For Healthy Teeth
Red oranges are a great source of vitamin C and calcium. Both nutrients help to protect your bones and teeth from harm and weakening.
Vitamin C and vitamin A keep the gingiva in good condition; these vitamins are also needed to keep the bones and teeth strong and healthy.
Other Benefits
Being a rich source of vitamin C, red oranges assist the functions of the adrenal gland and also increase the growth of red blood cells within the body.
It improves blood circulation to all parts of the human body. Red oranges provide energy to the body and enhance the metabolic process by inducing a good supply of blood to all the organs within the body. The fruit also abundantly contains vitamin A, needed to get off the upkeep of the eyes.
FINAL WORDS
There’re many health benefits of blood oranges. This fruit comes with many nutrients like vitamin A, vitamin C, folic acid, and anthocyanin. It’s good for fetus development, liver health, skin, teeth, heart health, and for strong bones. Just go for it!