When to eat what has already been arranged by the Creator in the seasonal fruits and vegetables that abound in the four seasons. Today, I'd like to recommend a seasonal fruit suitable for winter: the orange.
Oranges are not only delicious but also very nutritious, and they have health benefits we might not even think of.
The Nutritional Value of Oranges
Oranges are rich in glucose, fructose, sucrose, vitamins, malic acid, citric acid, dietary fiber, minerals, and more.
The orange pulp is sweet and sour in taste, and cool in nature. Regular consumption can stimulate the appetite, regulate qi, relieve coughs, and moisten dryness. The orange pith is sweet and bitter in taste, and neutral in nature. Regular consumption can activate the meridians, promote qi circulation, resolve phlegm, and moisten the lungs.
The Benefits of Eating Oranges Regularly
1. Oranges have a high water content and are also rich in vitamins, especially vitamins C and B1. These can not only enhance the liver's detoxification and elimination functions and accelerate the conversion of cholesterol but can also effectively alleviate symptoms of thick blood and arteriosclerosis. The hesperidin it contains can also effectively strengthen the resilience of capillaries, making it very suitable for people with cardiovascular diseases such as hyperlipidemia, vascular sclerosis, and coronary heart disease.
2. The orange pulp contains a substance called "nomilin," which has significant anti-cancer effects. Eating one orange a day can effectively resist the onset of oral cancer, stomach cancer, and others.
3. According to research by researchers at the British Royal Institution, regularly eating oranges helps block the formation of renal cysts (a benign tumor). Furthermore, naringenin found in citrus fruits has a significant protective effect on the kidneys. It is recommended that people eat 1-2 oranges daily to protect their kidneys.
4. Oranges are rich in vitamin C, which is involved in the synthesis of human collagen and has strong antioxidant effects. Regular consumption has certain beautifying and anti-aging effects.
Oranges are great, but don't overdo it.
1. Control your portion size. Many people say that eating too many oranges can cause "internal heat," but that's not all. Because the orange pulp is cool in nature, people with sensitive stomachs, or a damp-cold or deficient-cold constitution should not eat too many. Although vitamin C is good, excessive intake can easily lead to an increase in oxalic acid in the body, raising the risk of gallstones and kidney stones. This is especially true for the elderly, who should be particularly careful not to eat too many. One or two oranges a day is enough to meet the body's needs.
2. Don't eat them on an empty stomach. The orange pulp is sweet and sour, and eating it on an empty stomach can easily stimulate the stomach to secrete gastric acid. The organic acids in the orange pulp can also irritate the gastric mucosa, so you should not eat oranges on an empty stomach. It's best to eat them after a meal, which can also aid digestion.
3. Pay attention to food incompatibilities. Oranges cannot be eaten with radishes, as this can easily cause goiter. They also should not be eaten with beef brain, as this not only affects digestion and absorption but can also easily cause symptoms of abdominal pain and diarrhea. It is recommended to avoid eating oranges for about an hour before or after eating radishes or drinking milk to avoid discomfort.
4. Eat the orange pulp and pith together. The edible value of oranges is not only found in the pulp; the pith also has many benefits. It is recommended to eat the orange pith along with the pulp.
There are many benefits to eating oranges in the winter, but there's no need to be afraid. As long as we pay a little attention, don't overdo it, don't eat them on an empty stomach, and don't eat them with radishes or milk, there won't be any problems.