Vitamins and secondary plant substances: What makes oranges so healthy
Hardly anyone creates with the requirements of the health experts, every day to eat five to ten servings of fruits and vegetables. Who can do the job, is able to supply his body with sufficient vitamins and minerals. Can you drink instead of cheating and vegetable or fruit juices? We have consulted experts. The answer will amaze you.
Oranges make for a Sunny mood
If at us the uncomfortable, cold, wet and grey Season of the year makes really wide, provide citrus fruits from the South for a Sunny mood. At the top of the list for the Orange, one of the most cultivated fruits at all. According to the Federal center for nutrition (BZfE) around the world there are over 400 different varieties. They differ in shape and shell thickness, and color of the fruit flesh, taste, juice and Essence and also in the time of harvest. What they have in common: oranges are an important contribution to a healthy diet.
Occasional Criticism
In recent years, experts have commented occasionally critical of oranges, and it is noted that the acid may attack the fruit on the tooth enamel.
In addition, scientists from the United States reported that orange juice – probably due to the photo effect of the ingredients of citrus – sensitisation; the skin cancer may increase risk.
Most experts, however, refer to the numerous vitamins and other healthy ingredients.
Defenses strengths
The value of can be full of the consumption of oranges, has been shown recently in studies. So German researchers found in a scientific study, that can be reduced by orange juice and the gout risk.
And Australian scientists showed that regular consumption can prevent from orange vision loss.
But above all, the Orange is popular because of its high Vitamin C content. Due to the high concentration of the fruit is ideal to strengthen the immune system. A fruit covers almost two-thirds of the daily requirement of Vitamin C.
If you consume additional foods that are rich in zinc, has a good chance to come without the cold through the Winter.
Juice is healthier than fresh fruit
Furthermore, oranges contain a variety of phytochemicals, such as carotenoids and flavonoids, the risk for certain Krebs– and cardiovascular, can reduce diseases.
Interesting to know: scientists at the University of Hohenheim have found some years ago in a study that orange juice is healthier than fresh oranges.
Because: “The ingredients in the juice, the pasteurization better than eating the whole fruit, and can be used better by the body and metabolized taken,” said the student, Julian Aschoff at the time in a message.
What is the majority of consumers also often unknown: The white skin after the Peel in the fruits, should not be completely removed.
Because of the important phytochemicals and dietary fiber are included to, among other things, digestion.
Fruits come mostly from the Mediterranean region
The available winter oranges are coming almost exclusively from the Mediterranean region, mainly from Spain, explains the BZfE.
Due to the long transport routes, the fruit is so the climate is not conducive to, and should not, therefore, according to environmentalists, at least once a day on the dining plan.
Early varieties such as the seedless Navel oranges with the typical navel tires before December. From December to March varieties such as Pineapple or Midsweet, as well as most of the blood oranges.
The most famous representative of the late oranges, the Valencia Orange. It Matures until mid-March.
The fruits are climacteric, which means that they ripen after harvest.
Better to Bioware to draw
Experts advise, in General, to organic oranges. These are available in larger supermarkets, organic and health food stores available are, among other things, on the EU to recognise the leaf of Stars and emblems of farming associations such as Demeter or Bioland.
Organically produced citrus fruits have to be according to the law, completely free of pesticides, preservatives and wax. Therefore, the shells can be safe for cooking or baking uses.
This is especially important in the Christmas bakery, where you can give pastries and desserts with fine grated orange zest for a special touch.
Since in the production of mineral fertilizers and plant protection products, are organic fruits are often smaller and more irregular than conventionally grown fruits.
In the taste, although there are no differences, but according to a study from the USA oranges organic contain up to 30 percent more Vitamin C than conventionally grown.
A possible reason for this is the renunciation of easily soluble nitrogen could be fertilizer. Much nitrogen is present, store the plants more water and dilute the nutrient content.
No matter whether conventional or organically produced fruit: oranges are extremely sensitive to cold and should not be stored in the refrigerator. (ad)
