An essential of the winter season: The benefits of oranges

Oranges, a type of citrus fruit rich in vitamin C and antioxidants, are produced most in the USA, Mexico and China, while Alanya and Finike oranges are grown exclusively in our country.

Oranges, which come in many different sweet and sour varieties, hold an important place in daily nutrition not only when consumed as fresh fruit but also in their freshly squeezed juice and dried forms.

While one medium-sized orange is sufficient to meet an adult's daily vitamin C requirement, the benefits of the orange, which is a source of vitamin A, folic acid, and dietary fiber, can be listed as follows:

BENEFITS OF ORANGES

• Thanks to the vitamin C it contains, it prevents cell damage and fights free radicals that cause cancer.
• It supports the immune system and protects against microorganisms.
• It supports eye health by slowing down age-related macular degeneration.
• It helps improve anemia by increasing iron absorption.
• Vitamin C supports the regulation of blood pressure by suppressing cortisol, the stress hormone.
• It helps reduce inflammation in diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, arthritis, and Alzheimer's.
• The folic acid it contains helps prevent birth defects by supporting folic acid intake, especially in pregnant women.
• The citrate it contains can prevent the formation of kidney stones by preventing the accumulation of calcium in the kidneys.
• Orange oil helps stop the growth of certain types of bacteria and fungi, and helps reduce anxiety and depression by lowering stress levels.
• Dried orange with its peel is a good source of dietary fiber. For this reason, it helps regulate bowel movements and prevent constipation, while also supporting digestive system health.

'BLOATING AND GAS' WARNING

The orange, which has so many benefits, is an acidic fruit and can cause problems for some people. It can cause complaints such as heartburn, bloating, or gas, especially in people with digestive system disorders such as gastritis, reflux, or ulcers, and people using coumarin-group blood thinners should limit their daily orange consumption to one.

In addition, it is recommended that people with diabetes or insulin resistance consume oranges as a snack, accompanied by a protein source such as raw nuts, milk, or yogurt, and pay attention to portion control in order to ensure better blood sugar management.

USED IN PARASITE TREATMENT

People using drugs containing celiprolol, which belongs to the beta-blocker group used in the treatment of high blood pressure, should avoid consuming large amounts of orange juice. This is because consuming large amounts of orange juice can increase the level of celiprolol in the body. Similarly, pravastatin, used by people with high cholesterol, can interact with orange juice. Furthermore, drugs used in the treatment of allergic symptoms such as urticaria, which have fexofenadine as an active ingredient, can also interact with orange juice.

One of the drugs whose blood levels are increased by orange juice is used in the treatment of parasites. It is beneficial to pay attention to the amount of orange juice consumed while using medication. Additionally, it is recommended that babies under one year of age should not be given oranges or orange juice due to the risk of causing allergies.