7 Facts About Oranges
Oranges can prevent kidney stones, help in cancer prevention, and it's better to eat the whole fruit than drinking its juice. Here are some interesting facts about the orange - the most Israeli winter fruit.
1. According to current theories, the orange originated in India and was originally called "narangji." Over time, this evolved into "orange" in English. The Hebrew name is actually an acronym for "golden apple" (tapuz). The name was also influenced by the verse "Golden apples in settings of silver" (Proverbs 25:11).
2. The orange is the most popular among citrus fruits. Its use extends beyond the fruit itself: Drinking orange juice is effective in treating kidney stones, and the fruit's peel contains a high concentration of the antioxidant 'limonene,' which can kill cancer cells.
3. The orange itself can also reduce the likelihood of various types of cancer, especially in the pancreas and stomach. Different studies have shown a lower incidence of these cancers in populations that regularly consumed orange juice.
4. If you do drink orange juice (freshly squeezed, of course, not the sugary and processed juices commonly sold), remember that it is important to drink the juice as close as possible to the time of squeezing, as Vitamin C deteriorates in light and heat. Juice that is not stored in a cold, sealed container will lose some of the vitamin. Overall, if Vitamin C is especially important to you, it's much better to eat the whole fruit. It has much more dietary fiber than the juice, due to the white pulp of the peel and segments. To conclude this point, it is preferable to eat the whole fruit. And even if you insist on the juice - it is better to drink it close to squeezing, preferably at home.
5. In addition to its many benefits, the orange can help reduce cholesterol. Various studies have shown that orange peel can decrease the body's endogenous (internal) cholesterol production through the liver. This whole process raises the good cholesterol and reduces the bad cholesterol.
6. Oranges are popular in Israel mainly because they require a warm climate to grow. A sudden cold snap can decimate an entire orange orchard. Israel's success in growing and marketing oranges led to the creation of the "Jaffa Oranges" brand (named after Jaffa), which is now sold to distributors in North Africa and Spain.
7. Let's end with some numbers: In 100 grams of orange, there are 88 grams of water, 52 calories, 0.8 grams of protein, 11.9 grams of carbohydrates, 0.1 grams of fat, and zero cholesterol. Both tasty and nutritious. On the other hand, it's not recommended to eat more than one orange a day since it is acidic.
