Blood oranges (Scientific name: Citrus × Sinensis) are one of the less-known citrus fruits. They have a particularly unusual color. The pigment anthocyanin that gives the red color makes these oranges a bit sinister.
This pigment is also found in other fruits with similar properties, such as blueberries. Still, the pleasant taste and numerous health benefits classify these oranges as a real super-fruit.
Blood oranges are a hybrid of mandarin and grapefruit. At first sight, you may mix them with regular oranges. When you open them, you will be stunned by the unexpected color.
Blood oranges originate from the Southern Mediterranean, and they are very popular in the United States and Canada. Today they are widespread in all parts of the world, especially in Spain, Morocco, California, and Florida.
The juice is very refreshing
Interestingly, blood oranges have no seeds and easy to peel. So you can easily prepare juices using them. The taste is sweet with a hint of bitterness, which gives unique refreshment in the summer.
Blood orange has an especially pronounced pleasant aroma. There are probably no better fruits to quench your thirst. The refreshing cold juice of blood oranges is really an ideal drink.
Nutrition Facts
One medium blood orange has 80 calories and 21 g of carbs. So it contains slightly more sugar than the ordinary orange. Therefore, blood oranges aren’t keto-friendly fruit. But they are rich in nutrients, including potassium and fiber.
Blood oranges are also a rich source of calcium, folate, and iron. Just one blood orange a day will fulfill your body’s need for vitamin C. This is no surprise. All citrus relatives of this unusual orange are rich in this vitamin. So they are very important for the immune system.
One medium blood orange (154 grams) provides the following nutrients (1):
- Calories: 80 kcal
- Fat: 0 gram
- Carbohydrate: 21grams
- Dietary Fiber: 7 grams
- Sugars: 14 grams
- Protein: 1 gram
- Potassium: 260 mg
- Vitamin A: 2% of the daily value (DV)
- Vitamin C: 130% of the DV
- Iron: 2% of the DV
- Calcium: 6% of the DV
- Folate: 15% of the DV
Health Benefits Of Blood Oranges:
1. May help reduce blood sugar levels
Given the aforementioned nutritional values, it’s no surprise that blood oranges are useful in fighting the most severe diseases. If you are fighting diabetes, be sure to reach for this type of orange.
Blood oranges are incredibly high in antioxidants, such as anthocyanins (2). Research says that anthocyanin has antidiabetic effects, and it could be a potential drug for diabetes (3).
Moreover, the flavonoids found in blood oranges may lower blood glucose levels and improve insulin resistance (4).
What’s more, research says the essential oil made from the leaves of blood oranges also has antidiabetic potential, which may help manage diabetes (5).
2. May promote weight loss
A clinical trial on humans shows that the juice of blood oranges is ideal for losing extra pounds. It has found that drinking the extract of blood orange juice continuously for 4-weeks showed a significant reduction in BMI (6).
Similarly, another study on obese rats has found that the intake of blood orange juice significantly reduces body weight despite their high sugar content (7).
3. May help prevent cancer
Another great advantage of this delicious fruit is its protection against cancer. It reduces oxidative stress, which is one of the essential ways to prevent cancer (8).
Additionally, blood oranges contain an antioxidant called hesperetin, which has anti-cancer properties (9). Hesperetin also has the potential to treat many severe diseases, including hypertension, diabetes (10).
4. May protect your liver
Blood oranges contain naringenin, an antioxidant that may help protect your liver (11).
The intake of alcohol and drugs may increase the risk of liver diseases. A study showed that naringenin reduces the oxidative stress on liver cells, which could be useful for treating many liver diseases (12).
Conclusion
We can conclude that blood orange plays a vital role in protecting our organs. It will refresh our body and soul. It’s also excellent for diet because it will make it easier to lose extra pounds. Hence, this unusual fruit should be consumed as often as possible.