The Wonderful Benefits of Citrus Fruits

Citrus is a common and scientific name for a class of flowering plants in the Rutaceae family, which is popular in Central and South America. There are a total of five ancient species of citrus fruits from which all modern varieties were created, including the papeda, citron, pomelo, mandarin, and kumquat. Today, approximately 118 million metric tons of citrus fruits are grown yearly across 140 countries.

The health benefits of the daily intake of citrus fruits are abundant and wide-ranging. They are a wonderful source of vitamin C, which is an essential nutrient for maintaining our blood vessels, cartilage, muscle and collagen in bones. Citrus fruits also are a good source of other vitamins and minerals, such as vitamin B, potassium, phosphorus, magnesium and copper, which are needed to help the body to function properly. Additionally, citrus fruits are rich in phytonutrients like carotenoids, flavonoids and polyphenols that are known to have antioxidative effects against free radicals.

Citrus fruits are also a good source of fiber. That’s why citrus fruits are seen as heart-healthy fruits with the additional benefit of lowering blood pressure. Furthermore, citrus fruits may be helpful in reducing the risk of kidney stones. Many studies have also demonstrated that phytonutrients in citrus fruits are strong antioxidants, which are linked to a lower risk of cancer. Daily intake of these lovely fruits can even protect your brain from Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease.

Now, let’s have a look at how to choose them when at the market. Usually the heavier it is, the juicier the fruit is. Smell them and choose the fruit that has the strongest sweet smell. For lemons and limes, softer ones will contain more juice than firm ones. You can store citrus fruits in a bowl on the counter, but they will only last between 3 and 7 days. If you’re not going to eat your fruits right away, storing them in the fridge will make them last longer, up to around 2-3 weeks.

There are also many ways to incorporate citrus fruits into your diet. Lastly, please always remember to brush your teeth properly after drinking juices or eating citrus fruits, as the acid may erode tooth enamel and cause cavities.