Have you ever, while using lemon in your various foods or drinking orange juice, have you ever wondered what are the origins of these fruits? Do you belong to a particular family? In fact, there are many types of citrus fruits, of which oranges and lemons belong to the family, and each of these types has its own requirements for cultivation and the distinctiveness of its flavor. Whether you asked these questions before or not, let us take you in the coming lines on a not long journey in which you will get to know everything related to the citrus family.

What are citrus fruits and what is their history?

Citrus fruits grow on flowering trees and are characterized by a thick skin and a white pulp encasing the juice. Citrus fruits include: lemon, orange, mandarin, Citrus fruitGrapefruit, and other types. These fruits are native to Australia, New Guinea, New Caledonia, and possibly Southeast Asia.

At the present time, this fruit is grown in tropical and subtropical climates in the world, and its main production centers include: Spain, Brazil, the United States, China, India, and Mexico. The different types of citrus fruits are similar in that they are distinguished by their cheerful colors and strong aroma, and they also provide many health benefits.

It is worth noting that more than a third of citrus fruits are used in making juices, and you can find all kinds of citrus fruits all year round. As for orange Grapefruit has its peak season in the northern hemisphere, and is between mid-December and April.

Citrus types

The citrus family includes many different types of fruits. However, there are types that are commonly grown and eaten in the world, including:

• Oranges of all kinds: Valencia, navel, red orange, Caracara.
• All kinds of tangerines: Satsuma, Clementine, Tanjore, Tangelo.
• Lemons of all kinds: Persian, key lime, kefir.
• All types of grapefruit: white, red, ruby, orblanco.
• Lemon: Eureka, Meyer.
• Other types: citron / citron, sudachi, yuzu, pomelo.

nutrients in citrus fruits

It is believed that this family contains the most nutrients Vitamin C Just. But this is not true, in addition to vitamin C, it contains other wonderful and useful nutrients, such as:

• carbohydrates.
• potassium.
• folate
• Vitamin B6.
• calcium.
• phosphorous.
• niacin.
• magnesium.
• copper.
• thiamine;
• riboflavin;
• Pantothenic acid.

In addition to the above, it does not contain fat or sodium, and since it is a vegetable food, it does not contain cholesterol, and as for calories in it, it is low, for example: a medium-sized orange contains about 60 to 80 calories, and a grapefruit has 90 calories. calories, and a tablespoon of lemon juice (15 ml) has only 4 calories.

Citrus benefits

If you are wondering about the reasons for eating this fruit and including it in your diet, the following benefits will answer you:

1- Rich in vitamins and plant compounds

Citrus fruits are an excellent source of vitamin C, which in turn strengthens the immune system and keeps your skin soft and elastic, and what may seem surprising to some is that one orange contains all you need per day of vitamin C!

Citrus varieties also contain good amounts of other vitamins and minerals that the body needs, including B vitamins, phosphorus, magnesium, and copper.

In addition, they are rich in plant compounds that have various health benefits, such as anti-inflammatory and antioxidants. These compounds include more than 60 flavonoids, carotenoids, and essential oils, which are responsible for many of the health benefits of citrus fruits.

2- A good source of fiber

Citrus fruits are a good source of fiber, as one cup of orange slices contains 4 grams of fiber. Oranges are also very rich in soluble fiber, which is a type of fiber that helps lower cholesterol. Notably for people on a diet, research recommends consuming 14 grams of fiber for every 1,000 calories you eat during the day.

Fiber improves digestive health and aids in weight loss. Compared to other fruits and vegetables, citrus fruits are unique; Because it contains a higher percentage of soluble fiber compared to insoluble fiber.

3- They contain low calories

If you are on a diet and are committed to watching the calories you eat in your day, citrus fruits will be a good choice, as they do the double task of containing low calories, and they contain a large percentage of water and fiber that helps to feel full. To you Calories in citrus fruits different:

• 1 small clementine: 35 calories.
• 1 medium orange: 60 calories.
• ½ pink grapefruit: 52 calories.
• ½ white grapefruit: 39 calories.
• Lemon juice: 12 calories.

4- It reduces the risk of kidney stones

Kidney stones are painful mineral crystals. These stones can form when urine is too concentrated or when a person has higher than normal amounts of stone-forming minerals in the urine. A type of kidney stone results from low levels of citrate in the urine.

Many fruits and vegetables, especially citrus fruits, can raise the levels of citrate in the urine, thus reducing the risk of developing kidney stones. According to some studies, kidney stones are more common in people who eat less citrus fruits. Therefore, we advise you to drink citrus juices and eat their fruits; It is a natural alternative to potassium citrate supplements.

5- Helps fight or prevent cancer

One study suggested that eating one grapefruit or drinking juice daily makes a person less likely to develop lung cancer. Other studies have suggested that citrus fruits may also protect against cancer of the esophagus, stomach, pancreas, and breast.

As mentioned, citrus fruits contain a range of plant compounds, including flavonoids that may help protect against cancer. Citrus fruits may also help fight cancer by suppressing cancers, preventing new cancers from forming, and inactivating carcinogens.

6- Promotes heart health

Eating citrus fruits can be good for your heart. A Japanese study found that people who ate the most citrus fruits had lower rates of heart disease and stroke. Many of the compounds in citrus fruits can improve heart health.

For example, soluble fiber and flavonoids may improve cholesterol levels by increasing good cholesterol and lowering bad cholesterol and triglycerides. Many of the flavonoids found in citrus fruits, including naringenin, are powerful antioxidants that benefit the heart in several ways.

7- It protects the brain

The flavonoids in citrus fruits may help prevent neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s, which result from the breakdown of cells in the nervous system. These diseases are caused in part by inflammation. Several studies in older adults have also shown that citrus juices may boost brain function.

The flavonoids in citrus fruits have anti-inflammatory abilities, which are thought to help protect against the chain of events that degrades the nervous system. Based on studies in mice, certain types of flavonoids, including hesperidin and apigenin, have been shown to protect brain cells and improve brain function.

8- Promotes healthy skin

As mentioned, citrus fruits are full of vitamin C, with one lemon containing about half of the recommended daily amount of vitamin C. Vitamin C is an essential nutrient to produce collagenIt is one of the most common proteins in the body and also provides support for your skin; to help prevent it from sagging. Consuming more vitamin C also helps in improving skin health and reducing skin aging.

9- Contribute to weight loss

A study was conducted in 2015 that examined the eating habits and weight of a group of people over a period of 24 years, and the result was that eating citrus fruits was associated with weight loss.

Citrus damage

While the overall picture of citrus fruits is that they are full of valuable health and nutritional benefits, there are some downsides to be wary of:

1- Excessive consumption may cause tooth decay

Excessive intake of citrus fruits or their juices may increase the risk of tooth decay. This is because the acid in citrus fruits, when consumed in excess, erodes tooth enamel. And you are considered one of the people at this risk if, for example, you drink lemonade more than once a day.

Interestingly, some of the compounds in citrus peels may fight bacteria that cause tooth decay. Although more research is needed on this information.

2-Juice is not as healthy as eating fruit

While juices like grapefruit contain plenty of vitamin C and other nutrients found in most citrus fruits, they aren’t exactly healthy. This is because the amount of juice provides the body with more sugar and less fiber than whole fruit.

This causes two problems:

• FirstToo much sugar from juices translates into more calories, and thus causes weight gain.
• Second: When large amounts of fructose (the type of sugar found in juices) enters the body, it is quickly absorbed into the bloodstream and then reaches the liver. If the liver gets too much fructose, it converts some of the excess fructose into fat. Over time, these fatty deposits can lead to fatty liver disease.

Getting fructose from whole fruit isn’t a problem; Because you get less at one time. In addition, the fiber in the fruit protects the fructose, which causes it to be absorbed more slowly into the bloodstream.

3- It may cause problems for patients with gastroesophageal reflux

People with GERD may experience an increase in symptoms, such as heartburn and reflux, when eating citrus fruits; This is due to its high acid content.

4- It can interfere with some types of medications

Grapefruit and some other citrus fruits can interact with some prescription medications. And you don’t have to underestimate these interactions, some of which can cause serious health problems.

The problems are caused by chemicals in this fruit that can interfere with the enzymes that break down medication in the digestive system. As a result, the medicine may stay in your body for too little or too long. A drug that breaks down too quickly will not have time to work. On the other hand, a drug that remains in the body for a long time may accumulate to potentially dangerous levels.

A list of common drugs that can interact with grapefruit includes:

• Infection control medications.
• Cholesterol lowering medications.
• High blood pressure medications.
• Medicines that treat heart problems.
• Medications that treat anxiety.
• Medications that treat erectile dysfunction.
• Cough-reducing medications.
• Medicines that control pain.

Therefore, you should always ask your doctor when you get a new medication if it interacts with other foods or medications.

Are grapes citrus?

Grapes are not citrus; Grapes have a sweet fruit taste and belong to the vitaceae group, unlike citrus fruits.

In the end, we hope that we have clarified the different reasons for eating citrus fruits. But aim to eat whole fruits rather than lots of fruit juice. In general, citrus fruits are healthy, low in calories, and convenient to eat. Most people can benefit from adding more citrus fruits to their diet.