Winter! It brings with it a whole collection of special fruits, most of which are in the citrus family. Not only do they liven up winter meals, but they bring with them special benefits for health and weight loss. A word of caution: some citrus fruits such as grapefruit should be avoided if you are taking blood pressure medications. If you are taking any medications, it would be wise to check with your doctor or pharmacist about any potential negative interactions with citrus before consuming.

blood oranges

Blood oranges have a reputation for being able to stop cancer! These oranges are especially healthy because they contain special antioxidants, anthocyanins, and carotenoids that give them their distinctive dark red color. Ohio State University research shows that these anti-inflammatories are very powerful in fighting cancer, helping to block the genetic mutations behind cancer, protecting cells from carcinogens, and stopping the spread of cancer cells.

They are also blood sugar balancers. Because the fruit is high in anthrocyanins, enjoying a blood orange a day is a tasty way to keep your blood sugar balanced. Maintaining this balance prevents cravings and fatigue that can occur when blood sugar levels drop. According to researchers at King’s College London, these plant pigments nourish the pancreas and improve blood sugar control in just one week.

Clementines

Do you want to eat a good immunity booster? Try the sweet Clementine! Because they contain a high amount of vitamin C, eating clementines as a snack can help you fight colds. UCLA researchers claim that this vitamin increases the body’s production of virus-fighting white blood cells in as little as 48 hours. They are easy to transport and quick to peel, making them very handy for a quick treat. In addition to being very tasty straight from the skin, they can be turned into a dessert or combined with other ingredients. For example, you can split them in half, coat them with honey or brown sugar, sprinkle with cinnamon if you like, and then bake them at 350 degrees for about 10 minutes (for two clementines), or grill them for a few minutes. You can eat them with Greek yogurt, or you can chop them up and combine them with rice or include them in a fruit salad for a great addition to a meal.

Pink grapefruit

One great benefit of eating grapefruit is that it prevents osteoporosis! Grapefruit comes in four different flesh colors: white, yellow, pink, and red. Yes, the color in this case does matter! Scientists at Texas A&M University report that eating red or pink grapefruit daily prevents age-related bone loss and increases bone mineral density after just two months. Both red and pink are packed with more antioxidants than white or yellow grapefruit. Its pulp increases the absorption of calcium and magnesium for bone formation, which helps protect against osteoporosis. Its pink color comes from lycopene, a powerful antioxidant that can help protect against degenerative diseases. High levels of lycopene are associated with a reduced risk of cancer, heart disease, and macular degeneration! Otherwise, the only real difference between red and pink grapefruit is their flavor: red is the sweetest grapefruit, pink is the tartest, and regular grapefruit is the tartest of all!

If you find the grapefruit to be too tart, you can dust half of the fruit with a little brown sugar, sprinkle with a little cinnamon if you like, and grill for a couple of minutes to melt the sugar. Allow to cool briefly before eating; the melted sugar will be very hot and can burn your mouth badly.

Another advantage of grapefruit is that it is a fat eater. Add ruby ​​red grapefruit to your menu for a tasty solution to excess weight. Compounds in the fruit (lycopene, naringin and pectin), according to scientists at the Scripps Clinic in San Diego, accelerate fat burning. This resulted in helping people who ate one grapefruit a day lose 20 pounds in 13 weeks. Be sure to check with your doctor or pharmacist before eating grapefruit if you have blood pressure or other medications.

kumquats

Kumquats help protect your vision! In addition to being brimming with eye-saving vitamin A, kumquats also contain lutein and zeaxanthin. These nutrients halve the risk of macular degeneration, which is the leading cause of blindness in adults. Even better, Harvard research shows they can reduce cataracts by 30% by protecting our retinas from harmful UV damage. Kumquats are also an artery-clogging cholesterol hero. Since kumquats are the only citrus eaten whole, you get all the health benefits of the peel. Chinese research has revealed that hesperidin, a compound in the skin of the fruit, can reduce cholesterol production in the liver by 16%. That’s enough to lower your risk of heart disease by 25%. So, just pop them in your mouth and enjoy: the peel is sweet; the pulp is spicy!

lemon

Under the weather? Do you have the winter blues? When you feel sore, exhausted, or just plain tired or bored, lemons can help. They are rich in a phytonutrient that improves the liver’s ability to eliminate toxins that undermine health. Researchers at the Marin Preventive Medical Center in San Rafael, California, say this reduces headaches, pain, and brain fog by 33%. To get these benefits, juice half a lemon twice a day, add the juice to 14 ounces of water, and sip.

Thats not all! Considered one of the healthiest foods on the planet, just one lemon provides more than 100% of your daily intake of vitamin C. This can help increase your “good” HDL cholesterol levels and strengthen your bones. There’s more: the citrus flavonoids found in lemons may also help inhibit the growth of cancer cells and act as an anti-inflammatory.

To further boost the benefits, add a lemon wedge to your green tea. In one study, citrus fruits were found to increase the body’s ability to absorb the antioxidants in tea by approximately 80%.

records

Most people don’t know that limes are a GI (gastrointestinal) reliever. Including key limes in your diet can protect you against stomach upsets, due to their limonoids. Doctors from Stanford University say that this compound speeds up the production of digestive enzymes and stimulates intestinal muscle contractions that help relieve bloating and indigestion. They’re not just for key lime pies – they can be used in tea or lemonade or even added to smoothies for a tasty treat.

tangelos

Did you know that tangelos can help prevent wrinkles? This delicious fruit is a cross between a grapefruit and a tangerine. It is one of the best sources of hesperidin, which is a bioflavonoid that strengthens capillaries and connective tissue. Reduces bruising and varicose veins, while preventing the breakdown of collagen. As a result, it prevents sagging and wrinkles. Studies show that hesperidin needs vitamin C to work. The tasty tangelo contains plenty of both, making it the perfect fruit for flawless skin!

tangerines

Tangerines are especially good for fighting fat. Because of the pectin, a fiber in their membranes that expands in the stomach and helps you feel full, all citrus fruits help you lose weight. But scientists have just made the exciting discovery of a new fat-reducing chemical (nobiletin) found only in tangerines! This is a rare flavonoid that blocks the gene responsible for producing fat, thus preventing the accumulation of fat in the liver and speeding up fat burning. In addition, it helps prevent metabolic syndrome, a group of risk factors that increases the risk of various diseases and health problems. Additionally, it lowers cholesterol and triglycerides and blocks plaque buildup in the arteries to reduce the risk of stroke and heart disease. It even helps prevent type 2 diabetes! With their small size and ease of peeling, they make a very tasty, portable and healthy snack.

So it’s hard to go wrong if you select a citrus fruit when you get the munchies. With its variety and adaptability, you can find one for almost any purpose, whether it’s a snack, drink, or part of a meal or dessert. Whatever your choice, you are eating for health.

This information is for informational purposes only. IT IS NOT INTENDED TO PROVIDE MEDICAL ADVICE. Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you have any concerns about possible drug interactions or sensitivities you may have.