Shiangju, also known as Shiranuhi, has become very popular in recent years. In particular, the name "Shiranuhi" sounds a bit like "not getting heatiness" (不上火), so it is believed that eating it prevents this condition. Together with its "ugly" appearance, this has become the two main selling points of the Shiangju. However, many netizens have questioned: is this new fruit a genetically modified product? Is the claim that it is tasty and prevents heatiness just a marketing gimmick?
Is Shiangju a genetically modified food?
Shiangju is not genetically modified. It was bred in 1972 at the Kounotsu Experimental Station of the Kurume Branch of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries' Horticultural Experiment Station in Japan, through a cross between the citrus varieties "Clearfield" (清见) and "Nakano No. 3" Ponkan. Due to its excellent flavor and superior quality, it has become the highest-priced citrus variety in Japan in recent years. The fruit is oblate-ovate, often with a short, protruding neck. The rind is yellow-orange, slightly coarse, and easy to peel. The taste is extremely sweet with a wonderful flavor.
Nutritional Value of Shiangju
1. Shiangju is rich in Vitamin C and citric acid. The former has a beautifying effect, while the latter helps to relieve fatigue.
2. The thin inner membrane of the Shiangju contains dietary fiber and pectin, which can promote bowel movements and lower cholesterol.
3. Hesperidin can strengthen the resilience of capillaries, lower blood pressure, and dilate the coronary arteries of the heart. Therefore, Shiangju is a food that helps prevent coronary heart disease and arteriosclerosis. Research has confirmed that eating citrus can lower cholesterol deposited in arterial blood vessels and help reverse the process of atherosclerosis.
4. In fresh orange juice, there is a substance called "nomilin" with strong anti-cancer activity. It can decompose carcinogenic chemicals, inhibit and block the growth of cancer cells, and can double the activity of detoxification enzymes in the human body. It prevents carcinogens from damaging the cell nucleus and protects the integrity of genes.
What are the therapeutic effects of Shiangju?
Helps prevent cardiovascular diseases: Oranges are rich in Vitamin C, which can also effectively lower blood pressure, thus helping to prevent cardiovascular diseases that harm health, such as heart attacks and arteriosclerosis.
Protects the gastrointestinal tract: Because oranges are high in fiber, they can help protect the gastrointestinal tract and relieve constipation and diarrhea. Studies have also shown that the antioxidant properties of oranges, along with their dietary fiber, can help prevent colon cancer and reduce the risk of oral and esophageal diseases. Eating one orange a day may also help prevent the formation of stomach ulcers.
How to Prepare and Eat Shiangju
First, use a small knife to cut off the top of the orange, being careful not to cut into the flesh. Then, turn the orange over and insert the knife into the bottom rind. Cut off the bottom of the orange, again being careful not to damage the flesh. Next, insert the knife into the side of the orange, making sure to cut along the seam between two segments, without piercing the flesh. Pull the knife out and gently pull the orange apart from the incision to eat.
Who Should Not Eat Shiangju
1. The elderly with weak kidney and lung function should not eat too much, so as to avoid inducing symptoms such as abdominal pain and soreness in the lower back and knees.
2. Infants should not drink too much Shiangju juice. Some parents think that babies cannot eat the fruit or that their children do not like to drink water, so they simply blend the Shiangju into juice for them, thinking it will supplement vitamins. In fact, an infant's liver is not fully developed. After drinking too much orange juice, they may show symptoms such as yellowing of the skin, loss of appetite, and irritability.
3. Those with poor stomach function should eat it in moderation. Patients with poor stomach function, such as those with gastritis or stomach ulcers, should try to eat less Shiangju. Eating too much may lead to symptoms of bezoars in the stomach.