10 good reasons to eat an orange a day

Oranges are pretty awesome. They’re convenient, tasty, and—most important—they’re good for you. Oranges have long been a halftime staple for athletes. They also make for a great snack at any time. Here are seven amazing benefits of eating oranges daily.

1. Oranges Keep Your Eyes Healthy and Your Vision Sharp

Perhaps the most impressive nutritional aspect of oranges is their remarkably high vitamin C content. An average-sized orange contains 116 percent of your daily value.

Vitamin C has great benefits for eye health, no pun intended. C helps you see by reducing your risk of cataracts, promoting healthy ocular blood vessels, and slowing the progression of age-related macular degeneration.

2. Boosts your immunity

Oranges also contain thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, vitamin B-6, folate, pantothenic acid, phosphorus, magnesium, manganese, selenium and copper. Because of their high vitamin C content (over twice the daily need) oranges are associated with boosting the immune system.

3. Good for your skin

As we grow older, our skin along with other body parts suffers from free radical damage. This process is similar to how metals rust after exposure to air.  Even though it is inevitable, oranges are packed with antioxidants and Vitamin C which slows down the process and makes you look younger than your age! Besides oranges, you can eat these fruits and vegetables for glowing skin!

4. Oranges Assist with Appetite Control

Oranges are a solid source of fiber. A single fruit contains 12 percent of your daily value.

A diet high in fiber has numerous benefits. According to the Mayo Clinic, it helps normalize bowel movements, lowers cholesterol levels, controls blood sugar, maintains bowel health, and aids in achieving a healthy weight. The Harvard School of Public Health states that fiber appears to reduce the risk of heart disease, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease.

One of the most interesting effects of fiber is that it slows down digestion, which helps you feel fuller longer after you eat. This can be a great benefit for people who want to cut calories and lose weight—or for anyone looking for an afternoon snack to hold them over until dinner.

5. Prevents heart disease

One of the reasons why people get heart disease is because their arteries are blocked due to unhealthy lifestyles and consumption of junk food. Oranges have flavonoids like hesperidin which reduces cholesterol and prevents your arteries from getting blocked. This, in turn protects you from heart attack and various other cardiovascular diseases. Alternatively, you could try these 8 natural cholesterol busters.

6.  Helps in brain development

Folate and folic acid present in oranges promote brain development and keep the vital organ in mint condition. In fact, these nutrients also make orange a healthy fruit for pregnant woman as it prevents the baby from having neurological disorders later.

7.  May support cancer prevention

Having cancer can be a tough and harrowing experience for both the patient and the caregiver. Research has shown that a compound called D – limonene present in oranges can prevent various types of cancer like lung cancer, breast cancer, skin cancer, etc. Additionally, the antioxidants and Vitamin C help promote the body’s immunity which helps in fighting cancer cells. Here are some food habits to keep cancer at bay.

8. Keeps you free from stomach ulcers

Oranges are a very good source of fiber which helps keep your stomach and intestines healthy. A diet rich in fiber will ensure that you are not affected with ailments like stomach ulcers and constipation.

9. Weight loss

One cup of oranges contains only 85 calories, making this a nutrient-dense, low-calorie food. The same serving also contains 4.3 grams of dietary fiber. This compound aids in weight loss by promoting regular bowel movements and helping you feel full for longer periods of time.

10. Prevents hair loss

Orange has high Vitamin C content which is required for producing collagen which, in turn, is responsible for keeping the tissues in your hair together. Nobody likes bald patches on their head, and eating oranges can ensure that you do not have to part with your lovely hair as you grow older.