The advantage of citrus fruits is that they contain several different antioxidants that can help with a number of health problems - from cardiovascular disease and cancer to skin damage due to sunlight.
Different types of citrus fruits have similar nutrients in different amounts. In addition to the fiber and vitamin C, these fruits obtain the body calcium , potassium, folic acid and vitamin A .
The amount of one small orange, half a grapefruit or a large tangerine is about 100 g. To get the same amount of nutrients from lemons, we need to consume two small ones.
A serving of 100 g of orange, grapefruit or tangerine contains about 32 - 53 calories, about 8 - 13 g of carbohydrates and approximately 7 - 11 g of sugar. Oranges and grapefruit have a low glycemic index , which means that the sugar they contain does not lead to a big jump in blood sugar levels .
Consumption of citrus fruit is a sure way to get dietary fiber , although orange contains twice as much as grapefruit. About 60-70% of the total fiber in oranges or grapefruits is soluble.
They reduce blood cholesterol levels and prevent "jumps" in those of blood sugar. The rest are insoluble fiber , which aids digestion and prevents constipation .
Vitamin C helps produce collagen, which is valuable for the structure and elasticity of the skin and tendons . It is also an antioxidant and as such neutralizes the harmful effects of free radicals before they damage healthy cells. Vitamin C prevents inflammation that can lead to chronic diseases.
From a small orange we can get 53 mg of vitamin C , from half a grapefruit - 34 mg and 27 mg from a large tangerine.