Why orange juice is good for you

Orange is the most beloved citrus fruit with very valuable properties. The benefits and harms of orange juice is a pressing issue that worries many fans of healthy eating.

The chemical composition of orange juice

To evaluate the benefits and harms of orange juice, the first step is to familiarize yourself with the composition and properties. The drink contains:

• loading dose of vitamins - A, B1, B2, E, C, RE, NE and PP;
• beta carotene;
• disaccharides;
• dextrins and starch;
• iron;
• sodium;
• potassium;
• valuable acids;
• calcium;
• phosphorus;
• magnesium.

Together with each glass of the drink, the human body receives a whole range of vitamins.

How many calories are in orange juice

The calorie content of the product is average - approximately 60 calories per 100 ml, that is, slightly more than 3% of the daily value.

At the same time, for the most part, healthy juice consists of water - it takes 84 g of the total volume. The drink contains a lot of carbohydrates - 13.2 g, proteins are present in the amount of 0.7 g, and very little fat - they occupy a maximum of 0.1 g. It also contains dietary fiber - about 0.2 g.

The benefits of orange juice

When used wisely, the benefits of orange juice for the body are undeniable. Drink:

• saturates with vitamins, tones, strengthens the immune system;
• raises spirits and returns vigor, increases stress resistance - this is the benefit of freshly squeezed orange juice in the morning;
• effectively fights anemia and vitamin deficiency;
• strengthens the heart, the walls of blood vessels, removes toxins and harmful cholesterol from the body - this shows the benefits of orange juice for the liver;
• serves as the prevention of cancerous tumors, as it has antioxidant properties and fights premature cell aging;
• improves the function of the stomach and intestines, as it promotes the production of gastric secretions;
• serves as the prevention of urolithiasis, and also has a strengthening effect on bones and ligaments.

For women

The particular benefit of orange juice for women is that fresh juice is a low-calorie product. It helps women to cleanse the body without negatively affecting the figure.

In addition, this useful product improves skin condition - evens out color, increases elasticity, and slows down the aging process.

For men

For men, the main benefit of the drink is its properties that strengthen the heart and blood vessels - after all, the stronger sex is especially prone to heart attacks and strokes. In addition, the product is useful for smokers - it slightly reduces the harm that nicotine does to the body.

For children

The drink is one of the most valuable for kids and teenagers. The benefits of orange juice for children is that it supplies the body with all important vitamins, is responsible for the normal development of the gastrointestinal tract, heart, bone and nervous system.

However, for the first time, a product can be offered to a child only after 1 year. The fact is that fresh juice often causes allergies.

Can pregnant and lactating mothers drink orange juice

For women in position, the benefits of natural orange juice are undeniable - it contains folic acid, which is especially valuable for the developing fetus. It is necessary to use it, and it is best to start at the stage of planning a child - of course, provided that there is no allergy to healthy fresh.

But during lactation, the drink should be handled carefully. Its properties can cause allergies in the baby. It is best not to consume it for the first 6 months of breastfeeding. Then you can introduce a useful product into the mother's diet in small portions - no more than 1 glass per day.

Is orange juice good for diabetes

Citrus juice contains too many fast-digesting carbohydrates. After consuming it, the blood sugar level rises sharply - and this harms diabetics. Accordingly, in diabetes mellitus, it is better to exclude the drink from the diet.

How to drink orange juice medicinally

The benefits of fresh orange juice are also appreciated in folk medicine. The properties of the product help in the treatment of many diseases. It increases the body's resistance, fights inflammation and infections, stimulates cell renewal, and promotes early wound healing.

With gastritis

For mild gastritis, you can mix orange peels with mint leaves and valerian root, and then pour the mixture with a glass of boiling water and leave for an hour. The juice released from the crusts and other components will help regulate stomach acidity and reduce inflammation. Useful broth is filtered and drunk three times a day.

With a runny nose and cough

During a cold, it is very useful to use fresh juice - but not cold, but at room temperature. You can also brew orange peels and breathe in hot steam from them for 20 - 25 minutes several times a day.

Face masks with orange juice

The properties of citrus juice benefit not only the internal systems of the body - they also have the best effect on the skin. The product improves the tone of the face, evens out its color, helps to cope with irritations and helps to smooth out wrinkles.

Cleansing tonic

It is very simple to make a mask - you need to squeeze one fresh orange, moisten a cotton pad and wipe your face, and then wait half an hour and wash your face. The toner will unclog pores and slightly tighten the skin.

Mask for dry skin

The following mask will help to soften the epidermis - the squeezed pulp of oranges is mixed with fat sour cream and egg yolk, evenly distributed over the face. It takes about half an hour to keep the mixture for maximum effect.

How to make orange juice at home

It is not necessary to buy a drink - it is very easy to make it yourself at home in the kitchen. All you need is just a few ripe, juicy oranges without stale barrels.

• The classic way of preparing the drink is by hand. The fruits are washed, peeled and peeled, cut in half, wrapped in cheesecloth and squeezed.
• A healthy drink can be prepared using a juicer. For this, the fruits are washed in the same way, peeled and cut in half, and then a kitchen appliance is used.
• Another device that allows you to make fresh is a blender. Here you need to pre-cut the oranges into small pieces, and then grind in the device and strain through cheesecloth or a fine strainer.

Orange juice with citric acid

Sometimes citric acid is added to a freshly squeezed drink - this prolongs the shelf life. The acid serves as a natural safe preservative - if you throw just a few crystals into the drink and close the vessel with a lid, the fresh juice will retain all its beneficial properties for 8 hours.

Orange juice in a slow cooker

For those who are accustomed to using a multicooker to prepare meals or drinks, the following recipe is suitable:

• several oranges are washed, peeled and cut into small pieces;
• the previously removed zest is crushed with a blender;
• the pulp and zest are mixed and poured with boiled water, and then insisted for a day;
• the next day, the infusion is placed in a multicooker and the "Cooking" mode is set;
• after boiling, add sugar to taste;
• boil for 5 minutes, and then cool and pass through folded cheesecloth to strain.

The benefits of water with an orange prepared in this way lasts for 3 days if stored in the refrigerator.

How to drink orange juice properly

There are certain rules for drinking the drink - if you follow them, the properties of the product will not harm, and the benefits will be maximum.

• Freshly squeezed, concentrated fresh juice must be diluted with clean water - in equal proportions.
• Nutritionists advise drinking orange juice for breakfast or between breakfast and lunch, between lunch and dinner.
• The healthy drink is best consumed early in the morning or around noon.
• It is recommended to use a straw for drinking - the fact is that the properties of a concentrated citrus drink are harmful to tooth enamel.

How much orange juice can you drink per day

Nutritionists recommend not to abuse citrus juice. A healthy and safe daily allowance is half a glass a day - or 1 glass every 2 days.

Is it possible to drink orange juice on an empty stomach and at night

It is optimal to drink the drink in the morning, before noon. In this case, the benefits of orange juice on an empty stomach will be obvious - it will help regulate the functioning of the stomach and intestines. But it is not recommended to take the drink on an empty stomach - its properties will increase acidity, cause pain in the stomach, interfere with the digestion of food and cause harm.

It is better not to use the product immediately before bedtime. First of all, the tonic properties will interfere with restful sleep. The harm lies in the fact that after waking up, edema may appear. In addition, eating at night will harm the figure, since, in general, healthy fresh juice contains carbohydrates.

The harm of orange juice and contraindications

In many ways, the benefits and harms of freshly squeezed orange juice depend on the state of the body. Drinking a generally healthy drink is prohibited for some diseases. Namely, the properties of the product will harm:

• for allergies to citrus fruits;
• with increased acidity of the stomach;
• with duodenal ulcer;
• with diabetes and obesity;
• with acute gastritis and stomach ulcers.

How long can freshly squeezed orange juice be stored

Fresh juice has a very short shelf life. It retains its maximum useful properties only for a quarter of an hour after preparation. After that, the value decreases - contact with air destroys valuable compounds in the composition.

The drink retains a relative benefit for another 3 hours, and when using citric acid, the time increases to 8 hours. Keep the product only in glassware and in the refrigerator.

Conclusion

The benefits and harms of orange juice are a matter of competent use. If you follow the recommended dosages, the drink will not do harm, but the health benefits from it will be enormous.