Are sour oranges good for you?
As far as fruit goes, oranges are usually the first on the list of recommendations for a healthy diet. But what about sour oranges? These tangy citrus fruits may not be as popular or well-known, but they certainly have their own unique taste and nutritional profile.
So, are sour oranges good for you? Let’s take a closer look at their benefits and drawbacks in this article.
The Nutrition Profile of Sour Oranges
Before we get into whether or not sour oranges are good for you, let’s examine their nutritional content. Here is a breakdown per 100 grams of fresh Valencia orange:
- Calories: 43
- Carbohydrates: 8.5 g
- Fiber: 2.4 g
- Protein: 0.94 g
- Vitamin C: 52 mg (87% daily value)
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Potassium:177 mg (5% DV)
### A Closer Look At What Makes Sour Orange ‘Sour’?
Before diving into the nutrition facts that will leave you amazed; let’s understand why these juicy spheres have earned themselves an eternally stuck suffix – “SOUR”. It comes down to an active ingredient known as limonin that makes them so darn tart! Limonin inhibits sweetness receptors making it seem more bitter than sweet.That being said, both lemons and grapefruits contain higher levels of limonin than our cute foul-flavored buddies.
Regardless, we believe personality has no bounds just like how some folks prefer pumpkin over apple pie.So hear us out before judging!
The Pros of Eating Sour Oranges
While commonly known for vitamin C levels comparable to Camu-Camu berries(in some cases); there’s much more under the surface(literally)when it comes to sourxysters(no that isn’t scientific jargon).
1. Packed with Nutrients
When it comes to nutrition, sour oranges have a lot going for them. They’re low in calories and high in fiber, which makes them very filling even when you don’t eat much.
Additionally, they contain calcium, magnesium, vitamin A, thiamin (B1), riboflavin (B2), niacin (B3), folate(B9) as well as antioxidants flavonoids and carotenoids; These all help repair tissue damage from pesky free radicals thus reducing the risk of developing chronic conditions like cancer or heart disease; oh wait! Did we forget to mention amino acids? You heard it here first people-they got that too!
Nutritionists everywhere would cringe knowing that this orange bombshell is actually under-rated;pmm what more can one want?
2.Healthy Digestion
Sour Oranges are loaded with dietary fibre content as mentioned earlier which keeo our bowel movements regular.According to studies they greatly benefit IBS(Irritable Bowel Syndrome)by healing inflammation on intestinal lining.BOOM! who knew solving let’s say bathroom problems could be so easy.
Now if your stomach has been acting up lately – know that these babies can act like a life-saving elixir!
3.Immunity Boosting
As the world reels through never-ending cycles of cold,viral flu seasons being aided sorely by pollution and other environmental factors- Our ninja-like immune system needs better armour(glossary meaning,better tools).
This is where citrus fruits usher their entrance taking charge by halting harmful bacteria & microbes heading straight for us.This not only helps boost immunity but also prevents sudden spikes in bloog sugar levels.
So why not just add some spice n’ sour goodness(literally)to repel germ particles looking for new hosts?
The Cons Of Eating Sour Oranges
Not everything is sunshine and rainbows when it comes to sour oranges. Like all foods, they come with some disadvantages that you should keep in mind before stocking up on them as your daily staple.
1.Too Much Acid
Since sour oranges are high in citric acid, consuming too many of them can lead to overproduction of stomach acids which could result into indigestions,heartburn or possibly worsening GERD symptoms(Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease)
Sour oranges may trigger acidity due toits pH levels,i.e., below 4.6 (most orange ranges lie between 3-4),consumption beyond moderation might cause long-term damage like tooth decay(hooray!), erosion on gastric lining etc.
It’s always better to monitor the amount being consumed laying low for a bit if there’s trouble brewing down under.
2.High Carb Content
As mentioned previously; these fruits may have low caloric content but their carbohydrate profile is noteworthy-higher than your typical citrus fare!If you’re aiming for a weightloss journey,heading for too much-soured goodness might halt results.(#SadButTrue)
Carbs though essential still doesn’t eliminate the fact that it affects blood sugar ratings -so be careful while munching away thinking they’ll help beat hunger pangs!
Incorporating Sour Oranges Into Your Diet
So now that we’ve weighed the pros and cons let’s say you want more zestiness kicking off during meals.How do one include soury(oranges)in everyday consumption without hazards?Here are some healthy ways to add this gem above & beyond.
1.Use Them As A Salad Topping
Salads generally tend towards vegetables or mixed with fruits with low carb count-but why not switch things up by adding complementary flavors?Add a few slices as toppings alongwith nuts,feta cheese and baby spinach creating an overall experience.NO room for monotony.
2.Sour Marinade?
Compensate for those plainer dishes- by adding a tangy twist!Create brightness in standard grilled meats like fish,poultry,lamb or beef.Try out various techniques including bbqing,dry roasting,marinating and many more.
3.Orange Peel Infusion
An underrated half of this magical fruit.this sidekick helps adds flavour to sweet treats with ease; adds some sourness for proper mixing.Did you know that orange peels contains antioxidants?
You could create dry rubs,flavored syrups,chocolate shells crisps all using the rind(oops there goes another secret no one knew)
Conclusion
To sum it up -Yes,Sour Oranges are an incredibly nutritious source and can become a staple addition to our diets but within moderation as their sour profile might affect human systems prone to ailments like GERD etc.With optimization of intake we then enjoy added benefits through improved digestion,sleep cycles even cardiovascular functions!
So people what say?Effervescently popping Sour Orange’s into your grocery cart on your next visit(We highly recommend trying one if you haven’t already 😉 )