As the days get longer and the temperatures get (hopefully) warmer, cooking with bright and seasonal produce helps bring the season to life. Oranges, though not indigenous to Ireland, are an excellent addition to summer meal. Whether it’s a sweet pancake breakfast or savoury roasted chicken, oranges provide a distinct zesty flavour and numerous health benefits.

Oranges are loaded with vitamin C, potassium, fiber, and choline. We’ve all heard of the importance of getting in our vitamin C, but it truly can support your overall well being. It boosts your immune system so you’ll be prepared in the fight against everyday viruses. It also aids in the formation of collagen, which is the protein backbone of your skin. Getting vitamin C into your system can reduce wrinkles and help repair damage caused by the elements. Beyond just your improving your looks, numerous studies have found that vitamin C could play a vital role in lessening the risk for cancer. This antioxidant will protect your cells by both seeking out and neutralising the harmful free radicals linked to the formation of cancer.

These minerals also all support heart health. Potassium is especially good for decreasing high blood pressure since it helps dilate constricted blood vessels, and it’s a crucial component behind a healthy nervous system. Oranges also contain folate. This B vitamin joins in supporting heart health as it aids your body in lowering its levels of homocysteine, an amino acid commonly found in red meat that’s linked to heart disease.

Oranges have also been dubbed a “superfood” for diabetic people since they contain a good deal of fiber. This mineral helps lower and regulate blood sugar in addition to regulating your body’s lipids and insulin, both important functions for people with type 1 or 2 diabetes. Fiber additionally lowers cholesterol levels by blocking it from entering the bloodstream, and it’s an integral mineral for digestion.

Thankfully, this bright, tangy, citrusy fruits are available year round in Ireland. The next time you catch yourself at a food market, pick up a few oranges and enjoy everything they have to offer.

For more information, please visit: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/272782.php; https://www.livescience.com/45057-oranges-nutrition-facts.html