Oranges have recently come into season in large quantities, and reporters have learned from several hospitals in Harbin that a considerable number of people have developed "orange disease" from eating too many. Medical experts advise moderation in orange consumption, with 1 to 3 per day being the recommended amount.
Be careful with orange disease: a maximum of three per day
These past few days, a 26-year-old person named Li has been experiencing dizziness, cold hands and feet, palpitations, abdominal pain, and a yellowish complexion. After a detailed inquiry, the doctor learned that Li loves to eat oranges, consuming five or six at a time. The doctor concluded that the symptoms were caused by excessive orange consumption.
According to doctors in the gastroenterology department of the Provincial Hospital, oranges are rich in carotene. When consumed in large quantities, it accumulates in the body and cannot be immediately converted into vitamin A. Over time, the carotene deposits in the skin's inner layers, causing the skin to turn yellow. A large buildup of carotene in the body can also lead to metabolic disorders, resulting in symptoms such as a dry mouth, diarrhea, loss of appetite, hair loss, and irritability. This condition is medically known as carotenoderma, or "orange disease".
Doctors remind that eating three oranges a day is sufficient to meet a person's daily vitamin C requirement. However, an excessive intake of vitamin C can increase the amount of oxalic acid in the body's metabolism, which can easily lead to kidney stones and urinary stones.