Health Benefits & Importance of Vitamin C
Vitamin C is a vital nutrient for health. It helps form and maintain bones, skin, and blood vessels. It occurs naturally in some foods, especially, fruit and vegetables.
Why we need vitamin C:
Vitamins, including vitamin C, are organic compounds. An organic compound is one that exists in living things and contains the elements carbon and oxygen. Vitamin C is water soluble, and the body does not store it. To maintain adequate levels of vitamin C, humans need a daily intake of food that contains it. Vitamin C plays an important role in a number of bodily functions including the production of collagen, L-carnitine, and some neurotransmitters. It helps metabolize proteins and its antioxidant activity may reduce the risk of some cancers.
Collagen, which vitamin C helps produce, is the main component of connective tissue and the most abundant protein in mammals. Between 1 and 2 percent of muscle tissue is collagen. It is a vital component in fibrous tissues such as:
Cardiovascular health: Vitamin C may widen the blood vessels, and this could help protect against heart disease and hypertension, or high blood pressure.
Cholesterol levels: These were found to be lower in individuals with adequate levels of vitamin C.
Diabetes: Patients are less likely to experience deterioration of the kidneys, eyes, and nerves if they eat plenty of fruit and vegetables that are rich in vitamin C.
Vitamin C enhances the absorption of iron.
Lead levels may be reduced if there is an adequate intake of vitamin C.
Histamine: Histamine is a substance the immune system produces, resulting in inflammation and other problems.
Health Benefits of Oranges:
We all know the proverb "an apple a day," but what about an orange? Oranges are low in calories and full of nutrients, they promote clear, healthy, skin and can help to lower our risk for many diseases as part of an overall healthy and varied diet. Orange trees are the most commonly cultivated fruit trees in the world. Oranges are a popular fruit because of their natural sweetness, wide variety of types and diversity of uses, from juices and marmalades to face masks and candied orange slices.
Dietary tips:
Oranges should be picked at their peak of ripeness because unlike some other fruits, they do not ripen or improve in quality after being picked. Oranges should be stored at room temperature, away from direct sunlight. While it is hard to find good fruits and vegetables in the winter, it is the perfect time to buy citrus. Winter is the peak season for oranges and other citrus fruits. There are many different types of oranges available such as navel, mandarin, cara, blood oranges, Valencia and Seville oranges just to name a few. Some are very sweet and others have more of a sour taste.
Tips for oranges:
Why we need vitamin C:
Vitamins, including vitamin C, are organic compounds. An organic compound is one that exists in living things and contains the elements carbon and oxygen. Vitamin C is water soluble, and the body does not store it. To maintain adequate levels of vitamin C, humans need a daily intake of food that contains it. Vitamin C plays an important role in a number of bodily functions including the production of collagen, L-carnitine, and some neurotransmitters. It helps metabolize proteins and its antioxidant activity may reduce the risk of some cancers.
Collagen, which vitamin C helps produce, is the main component of connective tissue and the most abundant protein in mammals. Between 1 and 2 percent of muscle tissue is collagen. It is a vital component in fibrous tissues such as:
- tendons
- ligaments
- skin
- cornea
- cartilage
- bones
Cardiovascular health: Vitamin C may widen the blood vessels, and this could help protect against heart disease and hypertension, or high blood pressure.
Cholesterol levels: These were found to be lower in individuals with adequate levels of vitamin C.
Diabetes: Patients are less likely to experience deterioration of the kidneys, eyes, and nerves if they eat plenty of fruit and vegetables that are rich in vitamin C.
Vitamin C enhances the absorption of iron.
Lead levels may be reduced if there is an adequate intake of vitamin C.
Histamine: Histamine is a substance the immune system produces, resulting in inflammation and other problems.
Health Benefits of Oranges:
Dietary tips:
Oranges should be picked at their peak of ripeness because unlike some other fruits, they do not ripen or improve in quality after being picked. Oranges should be stored at room temperature, away from direct sunlight. While it is hard to find good fruits and vegetables in the winter, it is the perfect time to buy citrus. Winter is the peak season for oranges and other citrus fruits. There are many different types of oranges available such as navel, mandarin, cara, blood oranges, Valencia and Seville oranges just to name a few. Some are very sweet and others have more of a sour taste.
Tips for oranges:
- Keep a bowl on the kitchen table or counter stocked with fresh fruit from the season. Seeing the fruits readily available will likely cause you to choose them as a snack more often rather than raiding the cupboards for a less healthy snack.
- Make a fruit salad with strawberries, pineapple, mandarin oranges and grapes.
- Add some orange slices to your salad at lunch or dinner. Compliment the oranges with walnuts or pecans and a light balsamic or citrus vinaigrette dressing.
- Make your own juice! Nothing tastes better than freshly squeezed orange juice in the morning. When you make your own, you can be sure there are no added preservatives or sweeteners.
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