| Have you ever asked the question: Why is an orange | | | | tumors growth and normalize tumor cells due to the |
| from edible gift baskets good for you? | | | | high antioxidant properties of citrus fruits in edible gift |
| If you do not know the answer by now, here is it: | | | | baskets. All of this is not really breaking news - no |
| Oranges form edible gift baskets have a very high | | | | surprise really - but it can only mean one thing - that |
| content of Vitamin C natural fiber. In addition, | | | | you should include as many fresh whole foods in your |
| oranges -and other citrus fruits - have more than | | | | diet - especially citrus. |
| Vitamin C. They also contain folic acid, beta-carotene, | | | | Remember, the two highly favorable nutrients of |
| potassium, selenium, antioxidants, and numerous | | | | nutrition are the flavonoids and water soluble fiber |
| phytochemicals. These bioactive ingredients are | | | | which are contained in citrus. Flavonoids give fruits |
| contained in plant foods that assist in boosting the | | | | and vegetables their color. It is a substance that |
| immune system. Diabetics have an added benefit | | | | prevents or slows down the aging processes and |
| because of the low glycemic index contained in citrus | | | | protects the immune system by preventing the |
| fruits. | | | | development of inflammation. They help cells perform |
| Armed with this information, the Commonwealth | | | | their work efficiently. One orange has an abundance |
| Scientific and Industrial Research Organization | | | | of flavonoids - more than 60 different types. |
| (CSIRO) of Australia conducted a major research on | | | | A Finland study showed that several varieties of |
| the intake of these nutrients from citrus on subject | | | | flavonoids were responsible the longevity of more |
| groups and published their findings after an | | | | than 10,000 subjects for over a 30 year period who |
| exhaustive review of 48 international case studies. | | | | were suffering from various chronic diseases. Those |
| Here are the results:o Cancer risks were reduced | | | | who ate foods rich in flavonoids had a lower risk of |
| markedly on recipient who had a high intake of citrus | | | | suffering from chronic diseases. These included heart |
| fruits. These cancers which were on the stomach, | | | | disease, lung cancer, stroke, asthma, and type 2 |
| mouth, oesophageal, and larynx fell by much as 40 to | | | | diabetes. In addition, those subjects who consumed |
| 50 percent as a result of consuming the citrus.o It | | | | foods with varied flavonoids types lived longer. |
| was also found that by taking in one additional | | | | Oranges have a high content of unrefined |
| serving of citrus fruit each day -more than the | | | | water-soluble fiber. Two other studies - one in the |
| allowable five servings of fresh fruits and vegetables | | | | United States and one in Italy showed that, of |
| - helped reduce stroke risks by almost 20 percent.o | | | | 10,000 subjects and 1,000 subjects respectively |
| The World Health Organization's Report on 'Diet, | | | | under study were significantly impacted by the |
| Nutrition and the Prevention of Chronic Disease also | | | | consumption of this component. The intake of |
| found that citrus consumption has a major impact in | | | | water-soluble fiber had a major impact on coronary |
| reducing cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and | | | | heart disease (CHD). In these studies, those who had |
| obesity. | | | | the highest intake of this fiber lowered their risk of |
| Katrine Baghurst, a researcher of the CSIRO also told | | | | developing CHD dramatically as compared to those |
| Reuters News Service that citrus has some dramatic | | | | with the lowest intake. |
| effects on tumors and on body cells as they inhibit | | | | |