Oranges are popular for their juicy and tasty pulp and bright, unique aroma. The fruits are widely used in cooking, cosmetology and pharmacology. The huge content of vitamin C and other useful substances in fruits makes it possible with their help to strengthen health, fight depression. The aroma of orange peel is incomparable with any other smells, it excites, refreshes and lifts the mood.
The benefits of orange fruit
In the composition of the fruit, you can find such biologically active substances as:
- fructose;
- citric acid;
- glucose;
- B vitamins;
- essential oils;
- flavonoids;
- magnesium;
- phytoncides;
- calcium;
- vitamin PP;
- magnesium;
- iron and much more.
But the most important advantage of an orange is its high content of vitamin C. The pulp of the fruit contains the daily requirement of this vitamin. Therefore, it is often recommended to eat at least one fruit during the day during colds. Oranges are great for strengthening the immune system, which allows the patient to recover faster. And the content of a sufficient amount of flavonoids in fruits has an antioxidant effect on a weakened body.
It is recommended to drink a glass of freshly squeezed juice in the morning to prevent stress and chronic fatigue syndrome. It also serves as an excellent prophylaxis for vitamin deficiency.
The content of phytoncides in fruits has antimicrobial, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects. The use of oranges has a beneficial effect on the rapid healing of wounds and the ripening of abscesses. Fresh juice, like the pulp of the fruit, can help reduce fever during a cold. Daily consumption of 1-2 orange fruits helps to strengthen the walls of blood vessels, activate the efficiency of brain cells, lower blood pressure, improve blood composition and metabolism in the body.
Adverse reactions and contraindications
Being a fairly low-calorie product, this tropical fruit can be consumed without special restrictions, but within reasonable limits. A large amount of essential oils contained in it, when consumed in excess, can cause an allergic reaction, which can be expressed in severe itching, swelling and hives. These symptoms will go away if you stop using oranges and their derivatives for a while.
Also, with great caution, you should treat citrus fruits suffering from gastrointestinal diseases, especially ulcers and having high acidity. It is generally contraindicated for such patients to take these fruits.
Use in cooking and everyday life
Oranges are practically waste-free fruits. They use absolutely all parts of the fruit. The pulp is consumed fresh or made into juice, used in fruit salads and for decorating dishes.
Dessert recipes and baked goods often use not only the pulp of the fruit, but also its aromatic zest. It is finely rubbed and introduced into the composition of creams and for the manufacture of various confectionery products; it is also widely used as a perfume in cognac and vodka production and in pharmacology.
The housewives make aromatic jam from orange peels and make candied fruits. The juice is used not only as a drink, but also for making jellies, homemade liqueurs and syrup.
Extracts and oil of this citrus are widely used in the chemical and cosmetic industries. Hygiene products and household chemicals are made with the scent of orange.
