Fruits like oranges, limes, lemons, grapefruits, tangerines, etc. are known to be citrus fruits. These citrus fruits are delicious to eat, refreshing as well as rich in vitamins, compounds like flavonoids which have anticancer properties, phytochemicals etc.
Oranges are the most known and in fact the favourite citrus fruits for most people.
Benefits of Vitamins in Citrus Fruits
Citrus fruits are rich in Vitamin C and also good sources of folate and thiamine. Vitamin C contained in the citrus fruits, is a powerful antioxidant and safeguards the body from damaging free radicals. Apart from this, vitamin C is also essential for the synthesis of collagen which aids in healing of wounds, helps hold blood vessels, tendons, ligaments and bones together. Vitamin C present in citrus fruits strongly enhances the iron absorption in the body. It binds to the iron in the digestive tract and the iron-vitamin C complex is absorbed together.
Apart from Vitamin C, citrus fruits also contain Vitamin B6 in them.
Citrus fruits contain Vitamin BH which are beneficial for hair and also aid in lowering cholesterol.
There is also a presence of Folate, a water soluble vitamin which is essential for cell production and cell growth. Folates aids in production of DNA, RNA and mature RBCs, which ultimately aid in preventing anaemia. Neural tube defects, a severe birth defect can also be prevented with high level of folate.
Benefits of Other Nutrients Present in Citrus Fruits:
We know that citrus fruits are not only about the vitamin C. There are other nutrient contents and several other compounds which are found in them and are known to be beneficial for the human health. Folate, calcium, niacin, thiamine, Phosphorus, Potassium, copper, magnesium, riboflavin, Pantothenic acid, phytochemicals etc, are some of the other nutrients present in the citrus fruits.
Phytochemicals are the compounds found in plants which help in protecting against various chronic diseases like heart disease and cancer. Potassium is a crucial electrolyte that aids in maintaining body’s water and acid balance, and also plays an important role in transmitting nerve impulses to muscles, aid in muscle contraction and also in maintaining normal blood pressure.
There are also sugar and fiber contents in these fruits. Moreover, citrus fruits lack in fat, sodium or cholesterol. Citrus fruits can be a real healthy choice for people looking for losing weight, as the average energy value of a fresh citrus fruit is very low.
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