Food & Bevarages

Scientifically Proven Health Benefits of Citrus Fruit for Immune System

The benefits of fruit for the health of the body are very diverse. In addition to maintaining the health of organs, the nutritional content of fruit, like in the benefits of passion fruit, is also useful to protect the body from diseases and can even help the healing process.

It’s not a new fact that fruits contain a lot of useful substances for our bodies. These nutrients make the benefits of fruit for health unquestionable and very dear to miss. No wonder health experts always advise eating fruit everyday.

Fruits are always recommended since they contain useful nutrients like vitamins, fiber, folat, or even calcium. In order for the benefits of fruit to be felt to the maximum, both the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that you consume about 5 servings of fruits and vegetables every day.

You are advised to consume a variety of different fruits and vegetables each day to get a different combination of nutrients from each fruit and vegetable consumed.

For example, one day you can get the full benefits of grapefruit, and for another you can switch to other fruits for variations. Maybe, you can try the citrus fruit.

Biologically, citrus fruits are a genus of fruits belonging to the family of Rutaceae plants. These fruits are scattered throughout the world and can generally be found throughout the year.

There are many types and varieties of citrus fruits. Some types that you may know are orange (sweet lemon), lime, lemon, Mandarin, Grapefruit, to clementine.

Citrus fruits are one of the healthy food groups, simply because this fruit contains an amazing variety of key nutrients. For you wondering, here’s the amazing benefits of citrus fruits:

Health Benefits of Citrus Fruit for Immune System

1. Contains a lot of Vitamin C

Like the benefits of kiwi fruit, citrus is also blessed with a lot of good Vitamin C, thus greatly supporting your immune system. As you probably know, citrus-like citrus citrus fruits are a source of vitamin C.

This vitamin has been known for its role in increasing endurance as well as helping the skin stay soft and elastic. Consuming one medium-sized orange alone has satisfied your vitamin C needs in one day.

In addition to vitamin C, citrus fruits also contain sufficient amounts of vitamins and other minerals, such as Vitamin B, potassium, phosphorus, magnesium, and copper.

Also, cyrus fruits also contain antioxidant molecules and anti-inflammatory compounds that are useful to protect your body from various harmful diseases.

2. Reduces the Risk of Getting Kidney Stones

Kidney stone disease or nephrolithiasis is the formation of hard matter resembling stones derived from minerals and salts in the kidneys. Kidney stones can occur along the urinary tract, from the kidneys, ureters (the urinary tract carries urine from the kidneys to the bladder), the bladder, as well as the urethra (the urinary tract that carries urine out of the body).

They are formed from waste in the blood that forms crystals and accumulates in the kidneys. Over time, the material gets harder and resembles the shape of a rock. When this condition occurs, the patient will likely feel the problem.

This health problem can be triggered by a variety of conditions, such as drinking less water, excess weight, or due to side effects of surgery on the digestive organs. It’s also possible for people who are less likely to eat fruits, like benefits of furanocoumarins, to get higher risk of kidney stones.

The stone itself deposits in the kidneys, and mostly caused by food or other underlying health problems. Types of kidney stones are different based on the cause. There’s four of them actually, each named uric, calcium, struvite, and finally the cystine stones.

One type of kidney stone is caused by low levels of citrate in the urine. Citrus fruits can increase the level of citrate in the body, thereby lowering your risk of developing kidney stones. In addition, studies in the United States also found that the risk of kidney stones is more common in individuals who consume less citrus fruits.

3. Potential Fruit to Fight Cancer

Various studies have found that the consumption of citrus fruits is associated with a reduced risk of cancer. Some have also concluded that some types of cancer are low risk with the consumption of citrus fruits, such as esophageal cancer, gastric cancer, breast cancer, and pancreatic cancer.

One of the contents of citrus fruits that are believed to be able to fight cancer are flavonoid compounds. Some types of flavonoid compounds can also act as antioxidant molecules, which play a role to fight free radicals that trigger various diseases.

4.  Makes Your Heart Healthier

Various contents in citrus fruits can lower the risk of causative factors of heart disease. For example, the content of soluble fiber and flavonoids in this group of fruits can lower levels of bad cholesterol (LDL) and raise levels of good cholesterol (HDL).

Naringin, a type of flavonoid in citrus fruits, can also maintain heart health. NIt has the potential to inhibit the assembly and secretion of lipoproteins containing apolipoprotein B100 in hepatocytes or inhibit the secretion of VLDL lipoproteins, increasing dislipidemia by reducing lipid levels and cholesterol levels, resulting in decreased atherosclerosis and average arterial pressure.

5. Natural Item to Treats Your Brain

As unique as the benefits of goron tula, the citrus fruits also have a special ability. To protect the brain, once again, the content of flavonoids in the citrus fruits play its role. For example, flavonoids can lower the risk of neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease.

In addition, animal studies also found specific flavonoid compounds such as hesperidin and apigenin that can actually  protect brain cells. The content also helps improve the function of this organ naturally.