Oranges are one of the world’s most popular citrus fruits. Originally from Southeast Asia, they are now grown in almost every area with the appropriate warm climate. While many people prefer to enjoy just orange juice, the whole orange possesses more impressive nutrition stats when eaten whole.

While oranges may vary in size, it is possible to take some average nutritional values by examining at the content of 100 grams of this fruit. In this portion, there are roughly 50 calories and no fat at all. Additionally, some 87% of the orange is made up of water. This makes the orange a very diet-friendly fruit. Additionally, 100 grams of oranges are 12 percent carbohydrates, mostly from natural fruit sugars. However, some of these carbohydrates also come from fiber, and an average orange has 5 grams of this important nutrient. Since fiber is only found in the pulp, though, orange juice only has carbohydrates from sugar. Finally, oranges have more protein than some other fruits, with nearly 2 grams per orange.

Oranges are best known for being rich in vitamin C. In fact, 100 grams of the fruit can provide more than 80 percent of the recommended daily value of this nutrient. Vitamin C is important for preventing cell damage and is particularly associated with a decreased risk of colon cancer. It can also diminish inflammation associated with arthritis, asthma, and other uncomfortable conditions. Oranges are also a great source of potassium, which is essential in aiding muscle growth and health. A single organe has roughly 10% of a person’s daily potassium needs. Oranges also contain some vitamin A, calcium, and even a minimal amount of iron.

Oranges are especially powerful antioxidant foods because antioxidants increase effectiveness when they interact with vitamin C. Thus, oranges have been associated with preventing cancer and other dangerous diseases. They are loaded with bioflavanoids and carotenoids, which are known to protect the body from cancer, as well as phytochemicals that fight heart disease. Oranges are also high in herperindin, which is associated with helping to lower blood pressure and cholesterol.

Other nutrients found in oranges include folate, potassium, and even some small percentage of calcium. Folate is a B vitamin that is especially important to pregnant women. Meanwhile, potassium aids in muscle performance and can also counteract excess sodium in one’s diet. Finally, calcium helps build strong bones and is essential for all people.

Ultimately, oranges are one of the world’s most common and healthiest fruits. In fact, a study done in Finland found that orange eaters halved their risk of heart disease. Meanwhile, other studies showed oranges, with their high fiber and water content, can suppress a dieters’ appetite for up to four hours at a time. These are just a few of the orange’s many benefits, and it should be included as part of a healthy diet.

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Though I’m not a great fan of the infamous Strawberry Shortcake cartoons, I remembered many of my childhood friends were. But strawberries have always been one of my favourite fruits – bright red, juicy and sweet. They make excellent healthy snacks for any time of the day by dipping in sugar or simply eating them plain.

Strawberries are also chosen as perfect ingredients for salads, smoothies, bread, cakes and desserts, especially fondues. Due to their bright, appealing appearance, chefs also like to use them as decorations to enhance the presentation of dishes, making them more appetizing to the guests.

How did strawberry get its name?

It was believed that the word "strawberry" did not exist until 1538. During the harvest time, children would pick the fruits and string them on straws of grass to be sold, thus the fruit was named "strawberry".

In the olden days, strawberries originated from the wilderness of Europe and America. Wild strawberries are small and tend to bear fruits only during month of June. But now the berries we buy today are much bigger in size because they had been cross-pollinated by scientists over the years. The scientists crossbred the wild species with the Chilean strawberries which were so much bigger in size than the wild berries.

What are the nutritional properties in strawberries?

Strawberries are the only known fruit to have their seeds outside, with an average of 200 seeds per fruit. The leaves and roots of strawberries are claimed for their medicinal benefits in terms of easing diarrhea, digestive upsets and gout. You’ll find strawberries leaves in blended herbal teas. The fruit juice is also useful in soothing sunburns, cure skin blemishes and remove discolouration on the teeth.

Nutrients found in strawberries include vitamin A, C and B6, fiber, potassium, folate and various antioxidants and flavonoids. These nutrients are important in boosting your immune system against diseases like cardiovascular diseases and cancers.

Compared to fruits like apples, oranges or bananas, they score highest in most of the nutrients. For example, 100g strawberries contain 60mg Vitamin C, which is more than 100g of oranges (50mg) will have. Best of all, they are low in calories and absolutely fat-free!

The Fighter against Heart Disease

Potassium, fiber and folate present in strawberries help combat heart disease. Studies have proved that potassium can significantly lower blood pressure, which may then reduce the risk of heart disease. Fiber, both soluble and insoluble, also lowers the risk of both cardiovascular diseases and hypertension. Homocysteine, an independent risk factor for heart disease, can be reduced by folate.

The antioxidants also deter the oxidation of bad cholesterol. Oxidation speeds up the build-up of arteries-hardening plague, also known as arteriosclerosis, which endangers the heart. Besides as an antioxidant, the flavonoids have anti-inflammatory effect on arteries, meaning they prevent blood clotting, thereby reduces risk of stroke.

The Fighter against Cancer

Because strawberries are highly effective in fighting oxidation activity, they are ranked the top among 12 fruits that were analyzed. The credits go to the high levels of polyphenols and Vitamin C in strawberries.

Antioxidants protect your body cells from damage by carcinogens, the cancer-causing agents. They inhibit the carcinogens formation, block its initiation, as well as suppress the progression and spread of tumors. When strawberry extracts were added to cancer cells, it was found that it slows down the cancer’s growth.

The Booster for Immune System

To have a long and healthy life, your immune system is the key. It is responsible for fighting infections and removing damaged or malfunctioning cells. But bad news is, your immune system ages with your age. So to maintain your immune system in tip-top condition, you need to load your body with plenty of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants.

As mentioned earlier, strawberries provide most of the nutrients beneficial to your immune system, and the body easily absorbs these nutrients.

Top Ten Skincare Food

In United States, strawberries are rated as one of the best foods for skin care and weight loss. Studies have shown that regular intake of strawberries can improve skin and hair conditions. They help you lose weight, due to its high fiber content and aspartic acid , so they are often included in a weight loss diet plan. The role of aspartic acid is to remove excess toxins from your body.

Selection and Storage

In the past, strawberries are not commonly found in supermarkets. But now with the help of technology, you can buy them any time of the year as they are flown in from Austrialia or United States.

When choosing fresh fruit, look for ones that are a bright, deep red and very glossy, without green or white hard tips. The caps and leaves should be fresh green. If you like sweet strawberries, go for the bright red, smaller ones. Large ones can be watery.

Also ensure the top layer of ripe berries isn’t hiding an unripe layer underneath because strawberries will not ripen after they were harvested. If there are red stains or liquid leaking from the box bottom, it means the berries had been on the shelf for too long and thus, not worth your money.

If you want your strawberries to stay fresh and last longer, do not wash them until you want to use them. Place them in a container, preferably in layers with paper towels in between the layers, and a dry paper towel at the bottom.

When you are ready to use them, wash them with the caps attached, under cool running water. The caps protect the strawberries from absorbing excessive water and turning soggy. After washing, you can remove the caps by slightly twisting them or cut with a fruit knife.

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Many people forget about the nutritional values of foods when planning their meals. After all, it’s so much easier to just stop at their favorite fast food restaurant on their way home from work.

Everyone knows they should be eating more healthy foods, but some people aren’t quite sure where to start. Here are some things to look for when trying to plan healthier meals.

Are you eating lots of fruits and vegetables? The majority of us do not eat adequate amounts to keep us healthy. Experts recommend that we eat between 5 to 9 servings every day. That adds up to about 2 cups of fruit and 2 1/2 cups of vegetables. Choose a variety of vegetables and fruits in different colors. Dark green vegetables like spinach, for instance, contain more nutritients than lighter colored vegetables.

Are you eating grains and cereals? Besides the well-known benefits of dietary fiber, grains and cereals provide many important nutrients for your health. Whole grain breads and cereals are much preferred over refined white breads or rice.

Are you eating a wide variety of foods? They say that variety is the spice of life. In reality, it’s the basis of a healthy diet. Our bodies need food from all of the food groups to function at peak performance. These food groups consist of grains, fruits, vegetables, dairy products, meats, beans and nuts. Sorry… candy is not a food group.

Do you eat breakfast every day? Yes, it’s true: breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Eating a good breakfast will give you the energy you need to make it through the morning and help eliminate those high-fat splurges.

Do you drink plenty of water? Soda and coffee may be liquid but they do not replace the water that your body needs. We need at least 16 ounces of water each day to keep ourselves hydrated and flush out the impurities that we may have accumulated in our digestive systems.

How much fat do you eat? Dietary fat is our enemy. Even though our bodies need a certain amount of fat, most of us consume 200 to 300 percent more than we need. That’s a scary thought! So, when you are making your food choices, look at the labels to see how much fat is contained in the food item. Vegetables and fruits are naturally lower in fat than meats.

How much salt, sugar and alcohol are you eating? Here again, moderation is the key. Serious problems can occur when you overdo. Salt can lead to water retention, weight gain and heart problems. Sugar, when eaten in large quantities over a long period of time can contribute to diabetes. And, excessive alcohol consumption is bad for the kidneys.

Your body will tell you when you are not getting (or when you are getting too much) of a certain kind of food. If you are gaining weight, you know you are either eating portions that are too large or you are eating foods that are high in fat. Feeling tired can mean that you’re not getting the nutrients from the foods required by your body to function.

Eating healthy foods is not as difficult as it sounds. In a nutshell: drink more water, eat less fats and sugars, and eat more fruits, vegetables and grains.

Jude Wright is an author and webmaster whose main interests are in cooking and gardening. Learn more about eating healthy foods at her website at http://nutritious-cooking.com.