Oranges, limes, lemons, and grapefruit are all citrus fruit, full of immune-boosting vitamin C. Aside from providing this incredible vitamin, citrus fruits all come with a host of other health benefits. These tasty fruits can help you through a cold or flu a lot faster than you would be able to otherwise. Here are a few of the many reasons to add more citrus fruits to your diet:
Good For Heart Health
Citrus fruits have flavonoids, which are plant compounds that promote heart health. Red grapefruit is explicitly an antioxidant that can help lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels. The vitamin C in grapefruit, as well as other citrus fruits, have also been said to reduce the risk of heart disease!
Citrus Fruits Have a Low Glycemic Index
With scores ranging around 100, citrus fruits will not spike your blood sugar, but the glucose in them will give you energy when released into your bloodstream. These can make them great for people who suffer from diabetes.
They Will Reduce The Length Of Colds
Vitamin C is known to help fight and prevent colds. These vitamins will shorten the duration of your cold symptoms by about a whole day, which is a big difference if you often get sick for a prolonged period of time.
They Have Tons Of Potassium
When it comes to potassium, people usually think about bananas. Surprisingly enough, citrus fruits can be one of the best sources for this mineral. They will aid your body in mineral balance, fluid regulation, and muscle contraction. Potassium will counteract by reducing the amount of salt in your body, helping it further the flush out that sodium. This will help you lower your risk of a stroke and heart disease by at least 20%.
Citrus Fruit May Help Your Body Absorb Nutrients More Efficiently
Adding citrus into your diet may help you get more out of any other foods you are consuming by allowing you to absorb more minerals and nutrients from those foods. Because vitamin C boosts the number of catechins, a healthy antioxidant, in your body, your body will be able to absorb iron better. Iron is extremely important to the immune system because it helps produce red blood cells.
Citrus Fruit Are Great At Hydrating
Citrus fruits have a high water content much like tomatoes, watermelon, and cucumbers do. Eating water-rich foods like this will help ensure that you are consuming enough fluids throughout the day. They will quench your thirst and prevent dehydration along with all the other benefits that come with eating these healthy fruits. Aside from that, they’re also filling and low on calories, making them the perfect diet food.
They are An Amazing Staple For Weight Loss
Because they are juicy and filling with little-to-no fat, sodium, or calories, they can be outstanding for anyone who is trying to lose weight without cutting too many calories or going hungry.
They Are Great for Your Skin
Vitamin C will benefit your skin and keep you looking young because it plays a role in collagen production, which is what keeps skin looking smooth and tight. Vitamin C will help you keep away the wrinkles and the dry skin.