Healthy Spirit – Citrus Fruits

The winter isn’t generally known as the season for fresh fruits and vegetables, but citrus fruits are at their peak during the winter season.

A single orange or grapefruit contains more than 100% of the recommended daily value of Vitamin C – perfect for staving off the common cold and other viruses.

The antioxidants found in citrus fruits can inhibit cancer growth and repair cell damage, so a diet rich in citrus fruits may help prevent certain cancers.

Consuming citrus fruits alongside iron-rich foods aids in iron absorption.

Oranges are high in soluble fiber, which helps lower LDL cholesterol levels.

Eating citrus fruits can increase the level of citrates in urine, which can prevent a certain type of kidney stones from forming.

A diet rich in grapefruit is linked to lower blood pressure.

Citrus fruits have a high concentration of flavonoids, which are believed to protect brain cells and help prevent neurodegenerative diseases.

Citrus fruits have a low glycemic index, which means that the sugars are released into the bloodstream slowly and don’t cause a spike in blood sugar levels.

Kashrus Note: Jaffa oranges (like any fruit or vegetable grown in Israel) require kosher certification to ensure that they are not orlah and that Terumos & Ma’asros were taken from the harvest.