We are wholly obsessed with the healing properties of food – particularly those foods that can help stave off yucky sicknesses.
Given that citrus is in season, it seems apt to talk about the health benefits of adding some Vitamin C to your diet.
Here are our top picks for adding citrus to your wheelhouse this year.
- Blood orange
Grown in the volcanic atmosphere of Mount Etna of Sicily, the blood orange is Italy’s citric gift to the world.
Not only are they rich in Vitamin C, blood oranges have unique benefits associated with high levels of anthocyanins.
Many nutritionists believe that anthocyanins contain anti-inflammatory properties, which help keeps you healthy and strong year-round.
Blood oranges are also rich in folic acid, Vitamin A and calcium, which are all essentials for a healthy body.
Studies have also found that consuming blood oranges is also fantastic for your skin, which is an added bonus!
So – make like the Italians, and mangia!
- Grapefruit
Not just a great breakfast snack, the humble grapefruit is packed with nutritional benefits.
The grapefruit was bed into existence in the 18th century, as a cross between a pomelo and an orange.
Grapefruits are low in calories, but are loaded with nutrients and are an excellent source of vitamins A and C.
Eating grapefruit helps with keeping your skin clear, and can actually lower your risk of disease.
Trying to lose weight? Adding grapefruit into your diet can also aide weight loss, thanks to its fibre and water content.
- Lemon
This spring, when life gives you lemons, make lemonade. Beyoncé isn’t obsessed with this fruit for no reason.
The health benefits of adding lemon to your diet are exponential.
Not only does eating lemons promote hydration, it is also one of the best sources of Vitamin C.
As with its citric cousins, the lemon is responsible for improving skin quality, supporting weight loss and aiding digestion, but also boasts the ability to fresh breathe and prevent kidney stones.
An easy way to add more lemon to your diet is adding sliced lemons to your water throughout the day!
- Orange
Orange you glad I didn’t forget this amazing fruit?
One single orange can provide you with 130% of your recommended Vitamin C needs for the day.
Oranges have been attributed to lowering blood pressure, fighting against the formation of free radicals known to cause cancer, improving heart health, and staving off diabetes.
They do wonders to your immune system, and should be an essential part of your winter/spring diet.
Oranges contain thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, vitamin B-6, folate, pantothenic acid, phosphorus, magnesium, manganese, selenium and copper.
Add some slices of orange to your salad and lunch or dinner, couple with a crumbled soft cheese and some nuts, and see just how easy it is to incorporate this superfood into your diet.
Blood orange chia pudding
Check out this awesome Blood Orange Chia Pudding recipe we found on bonappetit.com.
What an awesome way to incorporate blood orange into your breakfast!
Ingredients
2 SERVINGS
- ½ cup plain yogurt
- ½ cup fresh blood orange juice
- ¼ teaspoon orange-flower water
- Pinch of kosher salt
- 2 tablespoons honey, plus more for serving
- ¼ cup chia seeds
- 2 blood oranges
- Chopped pistachios (for serving)
Preparation
Whisk yogurt, blood orange juice, orange-flower water, salt, and 2 Tbsp. honey in a medium bowl. Whisk in chia seeds, cover, and chill at least 8 hours and up to 1 day.
Cut peel and white pith from oranges. Cut along sides of membranes to release segments into a medium bowl.
Give pudding a good stir and divide between small bowls, layering with some orange segments. Top with pistachios and remaining segments; drizzle with honey.