22 Surprising Benefits Of Citrus Fruit For Health, Skin, And Hair

 

22 Surprising Benefits Of Citrus Fruit For Health, Skin, And Hair

Citrus Fruit: We already know that Citrus fruit is considered to be a repository of immune booster vitamin C, which helps us to achieve better health, as well as better skin and hair. That’s why; most of the people usually search this fruit at the time of winter or flu season. People achieve best immunity levels with the help of citrus fruit. Also, it helps to prevent infection from the cold.

Important Facts Regarding Citrus Fruit

Citrus fruit generally belongs to the Rutaceae genus of the plant. These particular fruits mainly include limes, oranges, grapefruits, and lemons. It normally is round, loaded with citric acid, and enlarged with sappy, plumpy pulp bordering on the seeds. The skin of citrus fruits is rough, and “zest’’, which is the outermost part of the fruit is used mostly in different dishes for its excellent flavor. The skin of the fruit is covered with a white, spongy core. Naturally, citrus fruit can be separated into pieces after peeling.

Places Where Citrus Fruit Is Found

The citrus fruit is normally found in Northeast India, Yunnan(China) and Myanmar, the small part of Southeast Asia. But a recent study suggests that the fruits are found locally in New Guinea, Australia, and New Caledonia.

These can be either consumed raw or juices can be easily made with the help of this particular citrus fruit. It can be also very useful in order to prepare marmalades and pickles.

Some Popular Citrus Fruit

• Limes: Key lime, Persian, Kaffir
• Lemons: Meyer, Eureka
• Sweet oranges: Caracara, Valencia, Blood orange, Navel
• Grapefruit: Oroblanco, Ruby Red, White
• Mandarins: Tangelo, Clementine, Satsuma, Tangor
• Other kinds: Yuzu, Pomelos, Citron, Sudachi

Despite its deliciousness, there is the presence of a variety of nutrients in citrus fruit.

Nutrients Content Of The Citrus Fruit

Citrus Fruit is generally full of nutrients and so, it is considered to be very much beneficial for the health. There are many people who are very conscious about their health and for those people, citrus fruits are known to be a very good option as these are low in calories. A grapefruit mainly contains 90 kcal whether a small orange contains 60 to 80 kcal.

Sucrose, glucose, and fructose are the type of simple carbohydrates which are found in the citrus fruits. Ascorbic acid known as vitamin C is an important nutrient present abundantly in citrus fruit.

In Case Of Orange

A medium orange can help to provide 130% of Vitamin C to the body. The other major nutrients which are found in the citrus fruits are vitamin B6, niacin, folate, phytonutrients, magnesium, thiamin, potassium, and lycopene. As the citrus fruits contain the major nutrients, so, these fruits are known to be much helpful for our health, hair, and skin.

Major Health Benefits Of Citrus Fruit

Citrus fruit is considered to be beneficial for diabetes patients as it possesses low calories. Along with that, any such elements which can harm our body is not present in this particular fruit. The citrus fruits can also help you to get rid of toxins from the body. The other benefits are:

1. Lessen The Chances Of Stroke In Women

There is marvelous news for all women. Recent research by Norwich Medical School found that citrus fruits like lime, grapefruit, and orange present an important ingredient called flavanones, which can help to reduce the chances of strokes in the women.

According to this study, every woman is recommended to consume citrus fruits on a daily basis in order to gain the maximum percentage of flavanones from them. This helps in the prevention of strokes.

2. Maintenance Of Eye Health

We know that Vitamin C is present hugely in the citrus fruit. This vitamin helps to improve the health of eye vessels and also helps to reduce the age-related problem eyes problems and cataracts. It also helps in the improvement of the eyesight and reduces the dark circles on the eyes.

3. Heart Protection

The most important phytomicronutrients for the heart are considered to be polyphenols and carotenoids. These are proved to be helpful to prevent cardiovascular diseases and also maintain good heart health. Again, these particular nutrients are available in a large amount in citrus fruit. That’s why citrus fruits are always best for the health of your heart. And many of other flavonoids are also present in citrus fruits, the one called Naringin, is helpful for the heart in many different ways.

4. Best For Weight Loss

Lime and oranges are mostly considered to be low in calories. They are also amazing in weight loss. It is generally possible because of the low calorie and also the fruits have the availability high content of water and fiber content that helps to prevent you from feeling hungry. And we know less hungry means less food, less food means less weight.

5. Protection Against The Evil Cancer

The protections from cancer, the evilest disease in the world, are aided with the help of citrus fruit. Also, the components present in the fruit which can reduce the chances of cancer are carotenoids, flavonoids, vitamin C and folate. They are all available in the citrus fruits at a very high level. Vitamin C and nobiletin, a type of flavonoid can preferably help to protect the formation of new blood vessels which helps in spreading cancer to other areas of the body.

American Cancer Society said that the citrus fruits are best for lowering the chances of stomach cancer. Regular consumption of the citrus fruits also helps to protect against pancreatic, esophageal and breast cancer.

6. Stress Reducer

The increase of the hormone cortisol which is called as the stress hormone and a rise in the blood pressure mainly during the high anxiety situations is two major reasons for a rise in stress levels. Now, Vitamin C which is present in citrus fruit at high amount generally works to fight again both these issues and thereby reducing the stress.

7. Calorie Diet

Citrus fruits are mainly considered to be a great way to fill your stomach and that too without taking too much of the calories. This is best for those people who like to keep track of their specific calorie intake. Here are given the name of some citrus fruits along with their calorific content.

Lime – 20.1 cal

Grapefruit – 73.6 cal

Orange – 84.6 cal

Tangerine – 103 cal

Clementine – 35 cal

8. Help To Boost Immunity

Citrus fruit has the presence of both Vitamin C as well as Vitamin B6. But, along with that, it also contains many of the plant compounds like carotenoids, flavonoids and also, essential oils which are again responsible for the majority of health benefits mainly associate with it.

Vitamin B6 and vitamin C are available in citrus fruit, also some plant compounds – carotenoids, essential oils, and flavonoids that help to improve health. The vitamin C found in citrus fruit is an antiviral, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and this nutrient is useful to boost the immunity system of the body.

9. Protect Your Brain

In several studies, the flavanone rich orange juice is seen to have a significant positive effect on the cognitive functions of many people.

In just a trial of eight weeks, regular drink of high protein orange juice (flavanone), found that the person has a much more healthy and positive effect on the brain. So, it is proved that the regular consumption of citrus fruit can help to protect our brain from neurodegenerative diseases.

10. Best Sources Of Soluble Fiber

Citrus fruits are considered to be the best source of soluble fiber which possesses many of the health benefits. Generally, the soluble fiber has been found to be responsible for the lower lipid levels as well as blood pressure. Along with that, it is also very much effective for reduced inflammation, improved blood glucose control, weight loss and also improved immune function.

11. Aid In Lowering The Dosage Of Certain Drugs

Due to the specific ability of the grapefruit to slow down the metabolism of certain drugs, it has been associated with dangerous drug interactions. It helps them to remain in your system for a longer time and thereby increasing the side effects. This trait of grapefruit is mainly used by the folks at the University of Chicago Medicine in order to create a positive result. They found that drinking a glass of the grapefruit juice (freshly squeezed) along with the anti-cancer drug known as sirolimus helped to magnify its effects threefold. Again, this means, that the dosage of this particular drug can be reduced over time and so, one has to suffer lesser side effects.

12. Protect Kidney From Stone

Reduction of citrate level in urine is the major reason for the occurrence of stone on the kidney. A few glasses of any citrus fruit juice will help to reduce the chances of kidney stone. It is evident by a study that kidney stone is common in people who eat less quantity of citrus fruit or drink their juice.

13. The Full Package Of Potassium

Citrus fruits are the full package of electrolyte potassium. The potassium helps to reduce the chance of stroke, blood pressure, and critical heart diseases. The age-related problems like bone-loss and kidney stone are also reduced with the help of potassium. Potassium also helps to burn the carbohydrates in our body, help to make muscles and improves the health of the heart.

14. Low-Level Glycemic Index

The Glycemic Index (GI) is a ranking of carbohydrate in foods on a scale of 0 to 100 on how they affect blood sugar level. Carbohydrate with low GI value ( 55 or less) are more slowly digested, metabolized and absorbed and cause the low and lower level of blood sugar and usually insulin level also.

To help with the reduction of the level of blood sugar, coronary heart disease, and blood pressure, low-level GI food like citrus fruits are most important.

15. Hydrate Level

Grapefruit and orange is full of 90% and 82% of water. That means after eating the citrus fruits your water level present in your body will become high without having any high quantity of calorie food. Citrus fruits are full of nutrients, you have to collect the best fruits from the market, store them in the best place and eat them before they start rotting.

16. Shorten The Duration Of Cold

Citrus fruits are not really helpful for curing a cold completely. If you eat citrus fruit on your first symptom of cold, then vitamin C present in the citrus fruit will help to reduce the duration of cold for a day.

17. Aid Better Absorption Of Other Nutrients

The mere addition of citrus fruit to your plate may generally help to get more out of the other foods which are consumed by your end. Vitamin C specifically boosts the viability of the catechins which is a healthy antioxidant present in green tea. The absorption of iron by the body is also increased by this citrus fruit which is very important for the immune system and aids the production of red blood cells.

Major Benefits Of Citrus Fruit To The Skin

The citrus fruit is also known for their fragrances, not only for vitamin C. The citric acids present in citrus fruits help to kill the bacteria and pathogens on the skin. Citrus fruits are able to make your skin young, beautiful and shiny.

The best benefits for skin generally include:

18. Reduce Pigmentation

Whenever your skin is exposed to UV rays of the sun, generally, pigmentation and dark spots are seen. Mainly, the antioxidant present in your skin is depleted by the Vitamin C present in the fruit and so, it causes oxidative damage. Along with that, the UV induced photodamage and also pigmentation is prevented by the Vitamin C present in citrus fruit. In this case, you can use the citrus fruit or apply its juice.

19. Keep Your Skin Looking Young

Ascorbic acid or Vitamin C is on the topmost position whenever it comes to the maintenance of skin health. This ascorbic acid helps in the regeneration of collagen which maintains the elasticity of your skin. Also, the amount of collagen present in our skin reduces with aging and our body lacks the tendency to naturally produce it and so, consumption of this is considered to be very much important.

20. Exfoliate Your Skin

Many people suffer from dead skin cells. So, for them, the orange peel is considered to be the best remedy. The Vitamin C present in citrus fruit can help to clear all dead skin cells, old cells and turn skin looking clear as well as glowing.

Major Benefits Of Citrus Fruit For Hair

Everyone in this world loves shiny and soft hair. Vitamin C can help you in this regard. It helps to get soft and shiny hair. Apart from that, there are also many other benefits of this fruit for hair.

21. Fight Dandruff

The acidic nature of the lemon juice, can help to deep clean your scalp and thereby, getting rid of dandruff. Along with that, it also helps the hair to look shinier, reduce the dullness in your hair and make it thicker.

22. Strengthen Hair And Prevent Hair Loss

Vitamin C is considered to be responsible to produce collagen in your body. Collagen again is such a component which contributes to providing strengthen as well as structure to your hair. It also aids to prevent the loss of hair. One should regularly consume citrus fruit of the desire is more shiny and strong hair.

Beware Of The Side Effects Of The Citrus Fruits

Citrus fruit gives you important nutrients which help you to get better health, but they also have some side effects. So, one should also be beware of the side effects.

Assimilation Problems

Diarrhea or any abdominal cramps can happen from assimilating or digestive problems of the stomach. Citrus fruits just like oranges are a high fiber fruit, which can create digestive problems in the stomach.

Water Brash

The people who are suffering from water brash or heartburn for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), have to reduce the consumption of citrus fruit in their diet. Just because they already have an acidic problem and the citrus fruits are full of acids.

Juice Isn’t As Healthy As The Whole Fruit

The whole fruit and the juice of any citrus fruit have nutrients and Vitamin C, but the whole fruit is healthier than the juice. The juice has more sugar and less fiber than the whole fruit. More sugar serves more calories, and more calories serve more weight.

Cause Of Cavities

Eating a high amount of citrus fruits or juice can increase the chances of cavities on the tooth. This is because the acidic elements present in the citrus fruits can exhaust the tooth enamel.

Other Side Effects

• Fungi Growth
• Biphenyl Toxicity
• Drug Interaction
• Heartburn

Helpful Tips In This Regard

Tip 1:

Do not store the citrus fruit for long days because the nutrients on these fruits become less day by day. So always eat them or drink their juice on a daily routine basis.

Tip 2:

Always eat the citrus fruits or drink their juice at the morning time on an empty stomach. You can also eat the citrus fruit or drink its juice after some light meal.

Tip 3:

Always try to eat the citrus fruits with the mesocarp level. Mesocarp is the middle layer of the pericarp of the fruit. The fiber contents are maximumly available on mesocarp part, which helps to reduce constipation.

Tip 4:

Don’t drink water after eating citrus fruits or its juice. It can increase the acidity level of your stomach.

Tip 5:

Never eat the citrus fruit with the heavy meal. Eat it drink its juice before 1 hour or after 1 hour of the meal. Otherwise, it increases the acidity in your stomach and reduces the power of the digestive system.

Conclusion

In this way, it is particularly evident from the above section that the citrus fruits are very important for your health, skin, and hair. So, the benefits of the citrus fruit are considered to be many, but one should beware of the side effects of it.

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