Orange

Delicious and juicy orange fruit contains an impressive list of essential nutrients, vitamins, minerals for normal growth and development and overall well-being. Botanically; orange is the citrus fruit belonging in thearutaceae family, of the genus; citrus. The genus citrus also includes other related species of oranges such as pomelo, tangerine.

(mandarin orange), yuzu, lemon, and grapefruit.

Orange is a tropical to semitropical, evergreen, small flowering tree, growing to about 5 to 8 m tall, and bears seasonal fruits that measure about 3 inches in diameter and weigh about 100-150 g. Oranges are classified into two general categories, sweet and bitter, with the former being the type most commonly consumed. Popular sweet-varieties include valencia,.

Tangerines are related varieties of oranges distinguished by loose, easily peeled shin (pericarp) and sweet juicy flesh (arils). They are also known as mandarin oranges in europe and satsumas in japan. Just as oranges, these too belong to the rutaceae (citrus family) and known scientifically as citrus reticulata.

Fruits belonging to the citrus group are described as ahesperidium,a (a hesperidium is a scientific term to describe the fruit structure belonging to the citrus group. In fact, the fruit is a modified berry with tough, leathery rind. Orange peel contains many volatile oil glands in pits. Interior flesh is composed of segments, called carpels, made up of numerous fluid-filled vesicles that are actually specialized hair cells).

Nutrients in oranges are plentiful and diverse. The fruit is low in calories, contains no saturated fats or cholesterol, but is rich in dietary fiber, pectin.apectin, by its virtue as a bulk laxative, helps to protect the mucous membrane of the colon by decreasing its exposure time to toxic substances as well as by binding to cancer-causing chemicals in the colon. Pectin has also been shown to reduce blood cholesterol levels by decreasing its re-absorption in the colon by binding to bile acids in the colon.

Oranges, like other citrus fruits, are an excellent source of vitamin c (provides 53.2 mg per 100 g, about 90% of dri); vitamin c is a powerful natural antioxidant. Consumption of foods rich in vitamin c helps the body develop resistance against infectious agents andascavenge harmful, pro-inflammatory free radicals from the blood.

Orange fruit contains a variety of phytochemicals. Hesperetin, naringin, and naringenin are flavonoids found in citrus fruits. Naringenin is found to have a bio-active effect on human health as antioxidant, free radical scavenger, anti-inflammatory, and immune system modulator. This substance has also been shown to reduce oxidant injury to dna in-vitro studies. Total antioxidant strength (orac) of oranges (navel variety) is 1819 amol te/100 g.

Oranges also contain very good levels of vitamin a, and other flavonoid antioxidants such as alpha and beta-carotenes, beta-cryptoxanthin, zea-xanthin and lutein. These compounds are known to have antioxidant properties. Vitamin a is also required for maintaining healthy mucus membranes and skin and is essential for vision. Consumption of natural fruits rich in flavonoids helps the body to protect from lung and oral cavity cancers.

It is also a very good source of b-complex vitamins such as thiamin, pyridoxine, and folates. These vitamins are essential in the sense that body requires them from external sources to replenish.

Orange fruit also contains a very good amount of minerals like potassium and calcium. Potassium is an important component of cell and body fluids that helps control heart rate and blood pressure through countering sodium actions.

Citrus fruits, as such, have long been valued for their wholesome nutritious and antioxidant properties. It is scientifically established fact that citrus fruits, especially oranges, by virtue of their abundance in vitamins, antioxidants, and minerals, have many proven health benefits. Moreover, it is now beginning to be appreciated that the other biologically active, non-nutrient compounds in the citrus fruits such as phyto-chemical antioxidants, soluble and insoluble dietary fiber helps in cutting risk for cancers, chronic diseases like arthritis, obesity, and coronary heart diseases.

We all love orange juice, but nothing like a fresh raw orange juice. Its no secrete oranges are rich in vitamin c, but what you might not know is that on glass of orange a day will help balance high blood pressure, shocked? dont be, oranges have a high level of mangnesium and potassium. They have an inflammatory properties that help relieve joint pain and contain enough nutirients and mineral to boost your immune system. Yes oranges even contain calcium, so excellent for your bones and teeth, placing calcium where it is needed, instead of robbing it from your bones like diary does. Oranges contain folate increasing growth of skin and blood cells, they are also rich in antioxidants and the cartanoids that fight free radicals to reduce damage to cells. Oranges niacine content enable a good dna in your body. So next time you hear yourself say oranges contain too much sugar, or my doctor told me not to drink orange juice, think think think.

A very good infusion may be made thus: 1 ounce of thedry butter orange-peel, nearly one pint of boiling water poured over, the whole to stand for an hour, and then strained. A little lump sugar and lemon juice will make it more pleasant.

It is a stomachic; dose, a wineglass full twice a day. Orange marmalade upon bread is a good breakfast diet for dyspeptic patients. Syrup of orange is made by infusing 21 ounces of the dried peel in a pint of boiling water for 20 minutes, strain, and add 2 pounds of lump sugar; boil for 10 minutes. This mixed with water, and a little lemon juice, forms orangeade. It is nice also to mix with punch.

The orange tree belongs to the natural order aurantaceae. It is a beautiful plant which gives a refreshing shade in hot climates, and perfumes the air for miles.

It is extensively cultivated in every place where there is sufficient heat to bring it to perfection. The supply to this country comes principally from spain, portugal, the azores, and the islands of the mediterranean. There are several varieties of this species; but they all may be referred to the bitter or seville orange. The st. Michael's perhaps, is the most delicious, and this variety is grown largely in malta and provence.

The juice of the sweet orange, which consists principally of mucilage, sugar, and citric acid, is one of the most wholesome vegetable juices known. It is very grateful to invalids, especially when fever and thirst prevail.

The flowers of the orange tree are highly odoriferous, and have been long in great esteem as a perfume. They yield their flavour by infusion to rectified spirits, and in distillation both to spirit and water: the bitter matter is dissolved by water, and on evaporating, the decoction remains entire in the extract. On the continent the distilled water is used as an antispasmodic and anodyne; it is extremely useful in hysteria, in doses of one or two ounces.

The chief direct medicinal use of the orange is derived from the rind, and the best for the purpose is the seville orange, which yields an agreeable aromatic, stimulant, astringent, and tonic bitter. The rind of the sweet orange may be used, but it is less bitter. A confection, infusion, syrup, and a tincture of orange peel, are all used. It is very often prescribed in combination with stronger bitters, such as gentian and quinine, and it forms a good vehicle for disagreeable and nauseous purgatives.