Did you know that blood oranges are not only delicious but also good for you? This type of orange gets its name and color from anthocyanins, which are powerful antioxidants. These antioxidants can help protect your cells from damage and may even have anti-inflammatory properties. In addition to their antioxidant content, blood oranges are a good source of fiber, vitamin C, and folate. They also contain flavonoids, which are plant compounds that have been linked to several health benefits. For all these reasons, blood oranges make a great addition to any healthy diet. Here are some tips on how you can enjoy them more often.
What are blood oranges?
It’s in blood orange varieties, and their name comes from the deep red flesh. They get that colour – which also enlivens swirled oils and Italian cocktails such as the Aperol spritz – from anthocyanins. These powerful antioxidants might help keep your cells safe from damage, plus they’re super pretty to look at.
Ample in vitamin C, fibre and other nutrients, and containing a relatively low amount of sugar compared with standard oranges, blood oranges make a good addition to a menu designed with an eye toward sugar reduction.
Blood orange can be enjoyed in many forms including fresh, juice and recipe. Blood orange played a large role in the drinkings of Italy and Spain.
Looking for an extra dose of fruit, and really enjoy the taste of oranges? You will love blood oranges!
Nutritional value of blood oranges
These conditions can often be prevented or lessened with a fibre- and nutrient-rich diet. Oranges have both fibre and many vitamins and minerals, making them a nutritious snack for sure. You’ve probably heard of antioxidants. They are substances that can protect your body from the harmful effects of free radicals, often found in foods you eat.
Blood oranges are a variety of orange with a very high content of antioxidants. One of the main antioxidants found in blood oranges is anthocyanins. These powerful compounds are behind the red/purple colour seen in many fruits and vegetables. Anthocyanins or polyphenols (as they are also called) are thought to promote health: to reduce inflammation and prevent heart disease and cancer.
Healthy diets should incorporate blood orange juice or segments, and below are some of their many nutrients:
Vitamin C: For immunity, collagen in our skin and bones. Blood orange has about a third of the DV, or Daily Value, of vitamin C in one medium orange.
Folate: This B vitamin reduces the risk that a pregnancy could result in a birth defect, and helps with the growth of cells and metabolism in general. You’ll get a whopping 8 per cent of the DV in one blood orange.
Potassium: Potassium helps you to maintain a regular heart rhythm and keeps your muscles functioning as they should. It also functions as a pivotal electrolyte to maintain proper fluid balance in your body. One medium blood orange provides about 9 per cent of your daily requirement.
Magnesium: There are more than 300 reactions in your body that require it. Magnesium aids muscle contraction, energy production and DNA replication. It’s not called the ‘spark of life’ for nothing.
Health benefits of blood oranges
A blood orange, too, takes its name from its colour, as the flesh of this variety is deep red or purple, and its juice also darker than that of the regular orange. It is thought that blood oranges sparked from China, and were later introduced to Europe by Arabic merchants.
Blood oranges are not only beautiful to look at, but also pack in some real health benefits to chew on. Here are some of the ways in which blood oranges can help your health:
1. They're packed with nutrients.
All of their vitamins and minerals are above average: blood oranges boast lively levels of vitamins A, C, and B9 (folate) – as well as potassium, magnesium, calcium and iron.
2. They boost heart health.
Blood orange antioxidants could help keep arteries clear by easing inflammation and lowering cholesterol levels for heart health.
3. They improve digestion.
The fibre in blood oranges keeps things moving more easily through the gut, and helps you avoid constipation.
4. They strengthen the immune system.
Vitamin C is important for maintaining a healthy immune system, which helps us fight off colds and other infections. Blood oranges are a rich source of vitamin C. Eating blood oranges can help keep you free from colds and other infections.
How to eat blood oranges
Blood oranges got their name because they are oranges with a deep red colour. This colour is actually due to anthocyanins, antioxidants that have been shown to help protect against heart disease and cancer. Moreover, blood oranges are a good source of fibre, vitamin C and folate.
For blood oranges, actually, you want to pick ones that are heavy for their size. The above orange is a dark red colour at the moment, but by the time you try to make juice from it, the colour won’t be as dark; it will be paler. The skin of the orange should also have colour. If it looks green, it’s not yet ripened. You can eat them as is, juice them, but, of course, you can also use them for a recipe.
To eat the blood oranges, simply peel back the skin and enjoy the juicy flesh.Blood oranges are slightly sweeter than regular oranges with a raspberry or strawberry taste. Try them in any recipe that calls for oranges.When juicing the oranges, be sure to strain the juice to get rid of the seeds and pulp.
Recipes with blood oranges
Also known as blood oranges, these oranges get their distinct name from their deep red flesh. A variety of orange, native to Italy, they have been grown in Italy for approximately 800 years and are in season from mid-winter into early spring.
Though they might have a different appearance than other types of oranges, blood oranges are similar to them in terms of nutrition. Like regular oranges, they’re an excellent source of Vitamin C and fibre, and they provide small amounts of other nutrients including potassium and folate.
So what are the benefits of blood oranges? Here we go: 1. Blood oranges are loaded with health enhancing properties like vitamin C, B9 (Folate), potassium, magnesium, copper, and fibre. .... 2. "These oranges were also found to be rich in polyphenols which have antioxidant properties – particularly anthocyanin, which gives the flesh its colour and is also strong antioxidant." ... 3. “Their colour,” she notes, “is also the result of the anthocyanin, which is the same substance that puts the red pigmentation in red wine. In fact, red wine contains far less antioxidants that blood oranges.” Source: http://www.businessoverbrew.com/2014/12/02/health-benefit-blood-oranges/ The numbers have been replaced with just the keywords.
1. Builds immune function: As mentioned above, blood oranges are full of Vitamin C — one medium orange provides in excess of 100 per cent of your day’s needs! This also means that eating blood oranges is a great way to build your immune function and decrease your chances of catching colds and the flu.
2. Boosts heart health: Blood oranges are full of antioxidants, which can help lower bad cholesterol levels and keep arteries clean. They also contain potassium which can help to control blood pressure.
3. Promotes Digestive Health: Blood oranges are very high in fibre, which not only keeps you regular but can also prevent constipation when your digestive track starts to slow down. Choking or tea psyllium husks, fibre is often used as a laxative for that very reason. High-fibre fruits like blood oranges make great ‘weight loss foods’ because they fill you up.
Blood oranges are rich in nutrients that help fight inflammation throughout the body, which makes them second to none among fruits.
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