Here are 10 reasons why you should be eating oranges this season:
- When it comes to nutritional value, oranges are right there among the top
- They are easy to digest and help the body get rid of toxins
- They are good for the health of your hair, skin and nails
- Oranges protect us from viral infections like common colds and flu and also arm us against cancer
- The fibre in oranges aids in lowering unhealthy levels of cholesterol in the blood
- Their potassium and magnesium content help to lower blood pressure
- The magnesium in oranges helps to strengthen the teeth and bones
- The natural sugar present in oranges helps to satiate sugar cravings—safe even for diabetics
- The pectin and fibre in oranges help to ease constipation.
- Known as a magical fruit for weight watchers, oranges are a wonderful snack in-between meals—they curb your hunger pangs and prevent binge eating.
Did you know?
One orange supplies a full day’s vitamin C requirement. Also, orange is the world’s third favourite flavour, after chocolate and vanilla.
How and when to eat them
Eating whole orange is preferable to drinking concentrated juice. When buying packaged orange juice, check the nutritional value and avoid if it contains sugar or artificial sweeteners. Also remember, our rate of metabolism is low towards the end of the day, so it’s best to avoid consuming oranges after dinner as doing so can spike up your sugar levels.
Wait! Don’t throw the peel away
Orange peels also provide multiple benefits just like the pulp. Though it is bitter/sour in taste, this edible cover contains fibre, flavanoids and other nutrients.
Orange peels can be sun dried, powdered and then used in food preparation as well as for face or hair packs/masks.
Orange peel powder is a commonly used ingredient in many cosmetic products. It can help reduce blackheads, whiteheads, oily skin and provides a beautiful glow to the skin.
Weekly orange face pack:
- One tsp of orange peel powder
- One tsp of neem powder [readily available in ayurvedic shops]
- One tsp of multani mitti
- Few drop of honey
- Mix well and apply
Leave it on your skin for 15 minutes and then wash it off your face.
For long lustrous hair and to rid your scalp of dandruff, add some powdered orange peel to coconut oil and massage it on your scalp. Leave this overnight and rinse the next morning with a mild shampoo. This helps to stimulate hair growth.
Orange peels can also be added along with essential oils to your bathing water as it has a relaxing effect and also helps soften the skin.
This was first published in the January 2016 issue of Complete Wellbeing.