6 reasons you should be eating … Navel oranges
Navel oranges are among the world’s most popular fruits, belonging to the citrus family. They are grown in warmer regions of the world and are primarily eaten fresh or juiced, but can also be incorporated into many dishes. There are plenty of reasons why you should be eating navel oranges daily, but here are six of our favourites:
1) Fibre
Navel oranges are a great source of fibre. One large navel orange (roughly 180g) contains on average 18% of your recommended daily intake of fibre. Fibre has many health benefits including lowering cholesterol, weight control and improving digestive health. To get the most fibre out of your navel orange, eat it whole rather than juicing it.
2) Micronutrients
Micronutrients are made up of vitamins and minerals that our body needs daily to stay healthy and active. One large navel orange can provide up to 100% of the recommended daily intake of vitamin C which is beneficial for the repair and growth of body tissue. Navel oranges are also a good source of potassium, which helps lower blood pressure and reduce the risk of heart disease. Folate and thiamine can also be found in oranges, which assist in a variety of daily body functions.
3) Citric acid
Citrus fruits are high in citric acid and citrates, which gives them their sour taste. Citric acid has been linked to the prevention of kidney stone formation. Citrates are found to have similar properties to potassium citrate, which is prescribed to patients with kidney stones.
4) Skin benefits
The high levels of vitamin C in navel oranges can also have positive benefits for your skin. Vitamin C is known to help repair sun damaged skin, reduce wrinkles and promote a healthier skin texture.
5) Healthy heart
The potassium found in navel oranges can help support a healthy heart, decrease the risk of strokes and heart attacks, as well as lowering cholesterol, blood pressure and decreasing the risk of heart disease.
6) Taste!
It’s no secret that oranges taste amazing, and navel oranges are no exception. Navel oranges are the best citrus for peeling and eating fresh, but are also great for juicing and salads. To read more, click here for our handy guide to citrus.
