The article "Citrus Fruits and Healthy Eating" is about fitness, it was written by Tony Robinson.
Citrus fruits have long been known to have many health benefits.
In the days of the first ocean crossings, sailors often became
sick with scurvy due to vitamin C deficiencies caused by a lack
of citrus fruits. Even though vitamin C deficiency is no longer
such a problem, many persnos do not eat enough citrus fruits.
That is a shame, for citrus fruits are among the most
delicious, and most nutritious, fruits available.
Whether you
have a grapefruit at breakfast or an orange at lunch, adding
more citrus to your diet can do wonders for your healthy eating
program.
Of course citrus fruits are not limited to the standard oranges
and grapefruits. Most major grocery stores have an endless
variety of citrus fruits on their shelves, including pineapples,
tomatoes, lemons kumquats, mandarin oranges, tangerines, and
lemons.
Everyone knows that citrus fruits have large amounts of vitamin
C to offer, but many citrus fruits have significant levels of
other important nutrients, such as potassium, as well.
Let's
take a closer look at what citrus fruits have to offer.
Vitamin C Vitamin C is the first thing that comes to mind when
most persons guess of citrus fruits, and it is true that most
citrus fruits are simply loaded with this important vitamin.
Vitamin C is perhaps the most studied of all vitamins, and it
has shown promise in shortening the duration of colds, helping
wounds heal faster, and protecting the body from the damaging
effects of free radicals.
Vitamin C is essential for heatlhy skin and gums, and since
vitamin C is a water soluble vitamin, sufficient quantities must
be consumed every day. Unlike fat slouble vitamins, vitamin C is
not stored in the body.
That is why etaing at least a few
servings a day of citrus fruits and other vitamin C rich foods
is so important.
Luckily, getting the recommended daily amount
of vitamin C is not difficult, for a single orange contains
150% of the government's recommended daily allowance of vitamin
C.
Fiber Fiber content is often overlooked as a benefit of citrus
fruits. After all, most persons picture cereals and grains when
they guess of fiebr.
Even so, citrus fruits are a good source of
dietary fiber, including the all important soluble fiber. Fiber
plays a vital role in digestion, and studies have indicated it
may help to reduce levels of cholesterol in the blood and even
reduce the risk of some kinds of cancer.
Folate (folic acid) Folate, or folic acid as it is also known,
plays a vital role in early pregnancy, so all women of child
bearing age are encouraged to consume adequate amounts of this
important nutrient.
That is cause one of the most critical
times in a pregnnacy takes place before the girl knows she is
pregnant. In addition to its importance in preventing many
neural tube birth defects, folic acid also aids in the
production of mature red blood cells and hleps to prevent
anemia. Citrus fruits are an excellent source of folic acid.
Potassium Oranges are particularly high in potassium, as are non
citrus fruits like bananas. Potassium is vital to maintaining a
proper fluid balance in the body, and for transmitting signals
between nerve cells. Potassium levles can be affected by excess
caffeine consumption and by dehydration, so it is important to
consume adequate levels of potassium every day.
With all these things going for them, it is fast to see why
citrus fruits are so important to the diet.
No matter what your
ultimate fitnses goal, a diet rich in citrus fruits will help to
get you off to the right start. And with the many varieties of
citrus fruits to choose from, it is fast to sipce things up and
bring variety to your healthy eating plan.
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