5 Reasons to Eat Navel Oranges!

By: The Hale Groves Team | On: May 31, 2023 | Category: Fruit Facts Healthy Eating

There’s nothing like that sweet-yet-tangy flavor of a Navel Orange. If sunshine had a taste, orange might be it! A fresh, navel orange is delicious on its own, but its unique taste can add a bright flavor to salads, soups and entrees, while orange candy, orange cookies, and cakes flavored with orange are perfect if you’re looking for a lighter, melt-in-your-mouth dessert after a heavy meal or when serving tea.

Navel oranges are sweet, seedless and have excellent health benefits. These health benefits can be attributed to their high concentration of antioxidants and other health-promoting nutrients including vitamin C (ascorbic acid), hesperidin, limonene, narirutin and beta-cryptoxanthin. The health benefits of navel oranges range from anti-cancer and anti-asthma effects to the ability to support healthy collagen formation for younger-looking skin.

Here are five things we at Hale Groves love about navel oranges (plus a bonus!):

Navel Oranges can help prevent colds and other viruses.
- Your mom was right – oranges really are good for your immune system. Rich in vitamin C and other antioxidants that help fight infection and repel free radicals, Navel Oranges also contain anti-microbial properties also serve to hasten healing from wounds and viral infections. A natural blood purifier, oranges help remove toxins, keep your digestive system functioning properly, and help prevent colds and other common winter ailments.
Navel Oranges can help fight cancer.
- We already talked about how beneficial vitamin C is for your immune system, but did you know it helps fight cancer as well? In fact, studies show that tumors survive and grow more easily in patients with low levels of vitamin C. This may be because vitamin C helps suppress HIF-12, a protein that helps cancer thrive and spread.
  In addition to vitamin C, navel oranges are rich in hesperidin, a flavonoid that acts as a strong antioxidant to protect against some cancers, including skin, breast and prostate cancers. Limonene, a natural compound that is concentrated in the rinds and the white spongy inner parts of navel oranges, has also been shown to prevent breast cancer.
Navel Oranges may make your skin glow.
- The antioxidant vitamin C not only boosts your immune system, it can keep you looking younger, too! Vitamin C is a powerhouse for preventing oxidative damage and photodamage. Enriched with antioxidants, oranges help protect your skin from UV rays, boost the production of collagen, and minimize the damage caused by sunlight and free radicals. Making oranges a regular part of your diet can help reduce the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines, repair skin damaged by the sun, and promote a healthier skin texture.
Navel Oranges are great for diabetics.
- The tangy sweetness of navel oranges with their high fiber content is far more satisfying than a candy bar, so when you send oranges instead of candy to a loved one, you’re showing your love in a multitude of ways. In addition to all their other health benefits (which include strengthening the immune system, improving heart health, and helping to prevent cancer), oranges are also low on the glycemic index. Because of this, the American Diabetes Association lists navels and other oranges on their list of diabetes “superfoods.” Whole oranges may keep your blood sugar levels steady due to their low GI, fiber content, and other nutrients. And they’re not just a great snack for those already suffering from Type 1 or Type II diabetes – they may even help prevent Type II diabetes, too.
Navel Oranges are good for your cardiovascular system.
- Your doctor may have warned you about the health risks associated with high levels of saturated fats and cholesterol in your diet, but it may surprise you to learn that oranges can help keep your cholesterol down because they contain flavonoids that lower cholesterol. Plus, vitamin C (also known as ascorbic acid) has been shown to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease by raising the levels of HDL cholesterol while lowering blood pressure and reducing the conversion of fat into plaque in the arteries. Finally, navel oranges are rich in potassium, a mineral that works to lower your blood pressure. The fruit also has a role in facilitating the flow of blood through the arteries.

Bonus: Navel Oranges taste amazing!

The simplest way to enjoy a fresh navel orange is to peel it and enjoy it as a tasty snack, but the segments also make wonderful additions to salads, Asian-style sauces, marinades, salsas, and yogurt. You can also add vibrant flavor to sparkling water, cocktails and mocktails and vinaigrette dressings with just a squeeze of a navel orange segment.

Refresh your health – and your diet! – with sweet-t

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