The scientific name for oranges is Citrus and they're probably the most famous citrus fruit. There are several good orange varieties, including fresh-squeezed orange juice, which is very popular, but some people favor the juice from canned oranges, clementines oranges, or even Clementine oranges. But it's really all about personal preference. You might like one type of orange over another. Here's a list of just some of the more popular orange varieties.
- Water orange juice (or fruit juice) - This orange juice is generally produced in Florida. It's high in vitamin C and low in tannin, making it very sweet. As an added bonus, it's also very nutritious and some studies have shown that it may help protect against certain cancers. Some experts say that drinking water orange juice on a regular basis is like taking Vitamin C supplements every day. It has plenty of nutrients and some research suggests that it helps clear up anemia.
- Costa Orange Juice - Made by Costa Rica, this Costa orange juice is rich in vitamins and minerals. It contains almost twice as much potassium as that of the average orange juice. The minerals found in Costa cherries are well-known for their strong antioxidant properties. They also have high levels of calcium, magnesium and potassium and are low in calories. Because of their great nutritional benefits, they're used by dieticians to control diabetes and obesity, and they're even being recommended for people who want to lose weight. It's a great alternative to sugary soft drinks.
- Apple juice - Consuming apple juice is a great way to get your daily recommended servings of fruits and vegetables without adding unnecessary calories. A lot of apple varieties are enriched with natural antioxidants including vitamin c and folate. In addition, some brands of apple juice are also enriched with resveratrol. It has been shown that when using apple varieties rich in antioxidants, people who consume them regularly experience a reduction in blood pressure and feel more energetic.
- Citrus fruit juice - Orange juice is often thought of as a source of natural sweetness. However, a new study published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry shows that the acidity of citrus fruit juices can actually raise bad cholesterol levels. This acid is called citric acid and when consumed regularly, it can make cholesterol build up even more than it already does. Since elevated levels of bad cholesterol are known to contribute to heart disease, this finding could be very important.
- Folic acid - Just like many fruits and vegetables, orange juice is rich in folic acid. Folic acid, which is naturally found in food, is essential for pregnant women's development and health. However, a recent study published in the journal Public Library of Medicine shows that drinking large amounts of folic acid can increase a woman's risk of stroke. People who consume large amounts of folic acid may suffer from birth defects and brain damage. Therefore, pregnant women who may become pregnant should limit their consumption of orange juice.
- Vitamin C - One of the orange juice's richest sources of vitamin C is water, so it can also be consumed in this way. However, consuming large amounts of vitamin C can cause toxic buildups in the body, such as excessive urination and diarrhea. In addition, vitamin C and its derivatives, which can be found in some foods, can actually increase a person's risk of certain cancers, particularly colon cancer. However, there is good news: Most research indicates that vitamin C does not actually cause cancer.
With all of this information, it is clear that it is not appropriate to consume large amounts of orange juice on a regular basis. Instead, it is more beneficial to ingest vitamin c in the form of vitamin supplements. However, before purchasing vitamin c supplements, it is best to speak to a professional dietician or health care provider to ensure that you are consuming a daily dose that will provide the maximum benefit to your health. Also, it is important to remember that if you are pregnant or taking medications, it is not safe to consume vitamin c. If you suspect that you are not getting a daily dose of vitamin c that is sufficient to meet your needs, speak to your doctor or health care provider immediately. Although many people believe that vitamin c is safe for everyone to consume, it is not.
