Orange fruit is heat or cold?

As we all know, oranges are one of the most delicious and refreshing fruits out there. But have you ever wondered whether they have a cooling or warming effect on your body? Well, fear not my dear reader for we will be exploring this juicy topic in-depth. So sit back, relax, and let’s get to the root of this question once and for all.

The basics of orange fruit

Before we dive deep into the heating and cooling properties of oranges, let’s start with some basics about this citrusy goodness.

Oranges come from the Rutaceae family which also includes other popular fruits like lemons and grapefruits. They are a good source of Vitamin C which can help boost immunity as well as prevent scurvy (yes that still exists).

Oranges are also known for their high fiber content which aids digestion by bulking up your stool (I said it) (1). And let’s not forget about the flavonoids that give oranges their color – these compounds may help reduce inflammation in the body (take that Advil).

Are Oranges Cooling?

Okay now onto what you came here for- do oranges cool down your body?

The answer is yes! Oranges are believed to have a cooling effect on our bodies because they contain high amounts of water along with electrolytes such as potassium (K+) and sodium (Na+). These properties work together to hydrate us effectively while keeping our internal temperatures regulated (so much science).

In fact, in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), orange peel is often used to “clear heat” from the body when someone has symptoms like fever or irritability due to excessive heat exposure (2). So if you’re feeling hot-headed during those summer months or dealing with a case of sunburn – reach for an orange!

Water and Electrolyte content

Here’s a quick breakdown of the water and electrolyte content we were mentioning earlier.

Nutrient	Amount Per 100g
Water	87%
Potassium (K+)	181mg
Sodium (Na+)	1mg

But wait.. aren’t Oranges warm?

Now, now hear us out – while oranges may have cooling properties, they’re actually a warming food according to TCM! In TCM theory, there are two types of foods- “warming” or “cooling”. These terms don’t refer to temperature per se but rather the effect that the food has on our bodies.

Warming foods tend to increase circulation throughout the body which can be helpful in cases of coldness or stagnation. They also tend to be more energizing in nature (think caffeine vs chamomile tea).

So why are oranges considered warming? According to TCM principles, oranges help warm up our digestion due to their high Vitamin C content (3). This increased metabolic activity within our digestive system leads to overall warmth and energy flow within our body (it’s like being hugged from the inside)!

Let’s break it down further

To truly understand how oranges fit into these differing categories we’ve made some handy dandy lists.

Warming properties

• High Vitamin C
• Digestive support
• Increases circulation
• Energizing
  (You go orange!)

Cooling Properties

• High water content
  (drink up that hydration!)

So which is it? Warm or Cool?

After all this back and forth you might be wondering- well what exactly does this mean for me?! Are oranges heating or cooling?!

The truth is – it depends on your individual needs at any given time (unhelpful, we know).

Are you feeling hot and bothered or dealing with a fever? Reach for some fresh orange slices to help cool down.

Are you looking to stimulate digestion or need an energizing boost? A juicy orange might just do the trick!

The reality is that both perspectives have merit- they’re just coming from different schools of thought. So don’t worry too much about what category your food falls into- unless you are following TCM principles in which case we apologize for wasting your time (We tried!)

Conclusion

Oranges are truly versatile fruits that can provide us with hydration, nutrients like Vitamin C and fiber as well as offering cooling or warming effects depending on our body’s individual needs at any given moment.

So go ahead, grab an orange and enjoy all of its refreshing goodness while staying warm (mind blown!).

1. Orange Fiber: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/272782#benefits-of-orange-fiber
2. Traditional Chinese Medicine – Clear Heat:https://www.tcmwiki.com/wiki/clearing_heat#:~:text=Cool%20Herbs-,Clear%20heat,rashes%2C-mouth%20ulcers.
3. Food Energetics/Warm Foods:http://sixfishes.com/blog/food-warmers-%E9%A3%9F%E7%89%A9%E7%B6%93