Let’s start simple… Each Orange has about 116.2% of your daily value of Vitamin C. And, we’ve all heard about Vitamin C. It’s the immune system fortifier. It builds up the defense line, boosts your immune system, and even has a great healing power.
It doesn’t stop at oranges, though. You can dig into a grapefruit, or bake lemon or lime slices and drop them onto your grilled chicken. You can have a raw tangerine or, if you can find it, a citron from India.
I’m a big fan of orange juice, and I’m an even bigger fan of oranges. I try to peel mine in one go, but it never really works. Whatever, even if it doesn’t work, it’s still delicious. I usually have one with lunch. They’re easy to carry, tangy, and delicious.
I know it might be off topic, but I started doing some research on vitamin C, right? Asking myself what does Vitamin C really do and how to get the best of it? World’s Healthiest Foods states, “The protective role of vitamin C goes far beyond our skin and gums. Cardiovascular diseases, cancers, joint diseases and cataracts are all associated with vitamin C deficiency and can be partly prevented by optimal intake of vitamin C. Vitamin C achieves much of its protective effect by functioning as an antioxidant and preventing oxygen-based damage to our cells. Structures that contain fat (like the lipoprotein molecules that carry fat around our body) are particularly dependent of Vitamin C for protection.”
So, it got me thinking a bit… Are oranges the best source of Vitamin C out of every fruit and vegetable? Although oranges are up there in the Vitamin C fruit and veggie ranking, would you believe it if I told you that it wasn’t number 1? 5 out of the 6 people I asked today said that oranges were the best source for vitamin C out of every other fruit and veggie. Although just a quick study, it just goes to show that we can learn something new everyday.
In fact, in a vitamin C nutrient density battle, oranges place number 16! 16!
Number 1 is raw red bell-peppers
2 is fresh parsley.
3 is steamed broccoli
4 is boiled cauliflower
5 is strawberries
6 is fresh lemon juice (our first citrus to make it into the top ten).
Then comes romaine lettuce, mustard greens, Brussel Sprouts, Papaya, boiled Kale (my favorite), Turnip greens, grapefruit, kiwifruit, cantaloupe, and THEN oranges. It’s our GO TO Vitamin C tasty treat, and it’s great for you, but as you see here, it’s by no means the best.
Feeling sick, a cold coming on? Grab some citrus, or even bite into a raw red bell-pepper. Either way, you’re getting a healthy dose of Vitamin C.
Tell Maxim Hygiene what your favorite citrus fruit is… Are you a fan of orange juice or just screwdrivers? Do you eat grapefruit every morning for breakfast? Tell us your citrus story in the comment section below so our readers can learn the best way to enjoy some of these citrus fruits.