Oranges
Oranges are technically a hesperidium, a kind of berry. It consists of several easily separated carpels, or sections, each containing several seeds and many juice cells, covered by a leathery skin, containing numerous oil glands. Orange trees are evergreens, seldom exceeding 30 ft in height. The leaves are oval and glossy and the flowers are white and fragrant.
The word "orange" is said to have derived from the Spanish word naranja; English-speaking folks applied the indefinite article to the Spanish word to give "a naranja" which was corrupted to "an orange".
The term "golden apples" (presumably citrus fruits) arose from the myth of Hercules and the golden apples. The Hesperides were Mediterranean islands, where the giant Atlas lived, and were a haven for the golden apples. This is because the Gods were fearful of the golden apples being stolen. Hercules managed to obtain some of the golden apples as one of his 12 tasks, despite Atlas' attempt to trick him into holding up the sky. Later, Perseus visited the Hesperides to obtain some golden apples, and succeeded by turning Atlas to stone using the head of Medusa; hence, the origin of the Atlas mountains in north Africa.
The CSIRO reports evidence of positive effects associated with citrus consumption in studies for arthritis, asthma, Alzheimer’s disease and cognitive impairment, Parkinson’s disease, macular degeneration, diabetes, gallstones, multiple sclerosis, cholera, gingivitis, optimal lung function, cataracts, ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease, a 19% reduction in strokes, and a 40-50% reduction against esophageal, oro-phayngeal/laryngeal (mouth, larynx and pharynx), and stomach cancers.
An orange has over 170 different phytochemicals and more than 60 flavonoids, many of which have been shown to have anti-inflammatory, anti-tumour and blood clot inhibiting properties, as well as strong antioxidant effects. One orange supplies 116.2% of the daily value for vitamin C.
Phytochemicals, specifically the class of polyphenols, are high in citrus. The polyphenols so abundant in oranges have been shown to have a wide range of antioxidant, anti-viral, anti-allergenic, anti-inflammatory, anti-proliferative and anti-carcinogenic effects. Although most of the research has centered on citrus polyphenols’ possible role in cancer and heart disease, more recently, scientists have begun to look at their role in brain functions such as learning and memory.
Arguably, the most important flavanone in oranges, herperidin has been shown to lower high blood pressure as well as cholesterol, and to have strong anti-inflammatory properties. Importantly, most of this phytonutrient is found in the peel and inner white pulp of the orange, rather than in its liquid orange center, so this beneficial compound is too often removed by the processing of oranges into juice. Too bad we do not eat oranges as we do apples, however, grating a tablespoon or so of the peel from a well-scrubbed organic tangerine or orange each day and using it to flavor tea, salads, salad dressings, yogurt, soups, or hot oatmeal, buckwheat or rice may be a practical way of achieving some cholesterol-lowering benefits.
Florida produces about 70% of the country's oranges, and about 90% of the crop is processed into juice. California and Arizona are the other two states where oranges are extensively cultivated. Their oranges, however, have thicker skins than Florida fruits, a characteristic that helps to protect them against the drier climates of the West. They are also more prized as eating oranges.
significant nutritional content:
vitamin C, fiber, folate, B1, potassium, A, calcium, antioxidant, anticancer, antibiotic, helps against arthritis, lung disease, ulcers, kidney stones, high cholesterol |
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FRUITS
Apples
Bananas
Coconut
Mango
Oranges
Peaches
Strawberries
VEGETABLES
Beets
Carrots
Celery
Cucumber
Garlic
Ginger
Parsley
Spinach
Spirulina
Wheatgrass |
