How Do Oranges Help Your Body?

Oranges have many health benefits.

Although renowned for their vitamin C content, oranges offer many other health benefits. Perfect as a snack or a juice and generally available throughout the year, oranges are beneficial to the body.

Vitamin C

An average orange contains about 70 mg of vitamin C, which according to Nutrition Data is 116 percent of the daily value. Vitamin C is important for normal growth and development and the body's production of collagen, which is used to generate skin, scar tissue, tendons and ligaments. The water-soluble vitamin also plays an important role in the healing and repair of teeth and bones.

Immune System

Vitamin C is also an antioxidant. Antioxidants help destroy toxic, free radicals (cancer-forming agents) which can contribute to the development of serious health conditions. The body does not produce vitamin C on its own, so it is important to include vitamin C-rich foods, such as oranges, in the diet to maintain a strong immune system.

Fiber

Like other fruits and vegetables, oranges are a good source of dietary fiber, which helps maintain a healthy digestive tract. Furthermore, the University of Maryland Medical Center reports that a fiber-rich diet can help in the treatment of conditions including constipation, diabetes, hemorrhoids, heart disease and gastrointestinal disease.

References

• Medline Plus: Vitamin C
• Nutrition Data: Oranges, Raw, All Commercial Varieties
• University of Maryland Medical Center: Fiber