Healthy Snacks: Navel Oranges
The US is slipping when it comes to improving life expectancy, says a new study published at Columbia University. Though the country has achieved modest gains over the past thirty years, it has fallen relative to the other twelve countries in the study. Of particular concern is the survival rate of middle-aged Americans.
According to the latest results, the survival rate for 45-year-old men has slipped from 3rd place in 1975 to next to last place (12th) in 2005. Why is America a much more dangerous place for middle-aged men these days?
Is it smoking? Nope. Smoking rates have declined over the past thirty-five years. How about heart disease? While it is still a top killer, medication and specialists have lower the risk of heart attack. What about cancer? Cancer is still a big killer, but early detection and advances in certain types of cancer have made us all safer. Uhmm…obesity? Bingo!
Over the past thirty-five years, the obesity rate in America has skyrocketed. Two out of every three residents is overweight, while one in three is officially obese. If this were simply an issue of aesthetics, it wouldn’t much matter. But weight gain has a very real effect on the health of the human body.
In fact, obesity seems to be where most of our problems begin. The condition increases the risk of heart disease, type II diabetes, and certain types of cancer. In the next few paragraphs we will discuss a simple substitution that could save the nation.
Okay, we’re exaggerating a bit, but with good reason. The truth is that Americans are snacking themselves into an early grave. Yes, it’s the snacks! You can go on all day about fast food or not enough home-cooked meals, but it’s the empty calories that are killing us.
Why navel Oranges? Why not? When the great Renaissance artists painted, sculpted, and built their masterpieces they were embracing and celebrating old ideas. Do we know better? Has our modern, fast-paced world made us any happier, or even healthier?
Oranges have been around for thousands of years. There are over six hundred different varieties, including navel oranges. Though most oranges grown in the US are turned into juice, navel oranges are different, special. They are one of the few varieties grown only for eating.
There are many reasons for this. One obvious explanation is that they have thin, loose skins, which makes them easy to peel. The navel is also a sweet orange that is quite durable. Florida is currently the largest producer of navel oranges. They are responsible for more than half of the US crop and it is their most popular fresh fruit.
Taste the Sunshine with Hale Groves
At Hale Groves, we believe the best gifts come from the land, not a factory. For generations, our fruit has been grown slowly under the Florida sun, picked at its peak, and delivered fresh to your door. From sweet Navel Oranges to rare Honeybells, every gift shares the simple joy of real flavor—perfect for holidays, milestones, or everyday moments worth celebrating.
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