Health Benefits of Citrus Fruits
November 28, 2009
The oranges, lemons and grape fruits that we love to savor belong to the citrus fruit family. Citrus fruit trees are evergreen flowering trees that are found allover the world. They are packed with several nutrients, essential for healthy living.
It is believed that citrus fruits are natives of South East Asia, from where the citrus trees spread to Europe and rest of the world. Citrus fruits and the juice extracted from the fruits are powerhouses of vitamin C or ascorbic acids. They also contain several other essential vitamins, minerals and plant nutrients that are needed for healthy living.
Boosts immunity
Vitamin C present in citrus fruits helps to strengthen the immunity of the body. Regular intake of citrus fruits could help the body to keep the infection causing germs at bay. By including citrus fruits in your daily diet, you can reduce the risk of cold, cough and flu. Vitamin C also helps to heal wounds. Vitamin C is a water-soluble nutrient. Regular intake of vitamin C rich fruits is necessary for preventing depletion of this vitamin.
Good for the skin
Citrus fruits are good for the skin. The mild bleaching action of the citrus fruit juices could help to reduce skin pigmentation. The antioxidant property of vitamin C and several plant nutrients such as polyphenols, anthocyanin and flavanones protect the skin from the destruction caused by the oxidation of free radicals. Regular intake of citrus fruits could help to nourish your skin and delay aging of the skin.
Good for the cardiovascular health
Citrus fruits are good for the heart. The fiber and the antioxidant substances present in citrus fruits help to improve the lipid profile of the blood. Frequent consumption of citrus fruits could reduce the bad cholesterol or LDL and triglyceride levels in the blood stream.
Moreover, the antioxidant ingredients in citrus fruits could help to raise the good cholesterol or HDL level in the blood. Intake of citrus fruits could reduce the risk of atherosclerosis or formation of plague in the blood vessels. Including citrus fruits in your diet could reduce the risk of heart diseases, heart attack and stroke.


Comments
Got something to say? Join the conversation and leave a comment below.