Knowing The Value And Importance Of Orange Juice
The botanical name given is for the common sweet or Malta orange
which was introduced into Europe from China and is now grown in
many hot countries especially the U.S.A. Among other species are
the Citrus aurantium which is the bitterly aromatic Seville
orange and the most scented, the Citrus bergamia, from which the
orange bergamot is prepared.
The first greenhouses were called 'orangeries' because the fruit
is damaged by even a slight frost, and the nobles of
seventeenth-century England and France would not allow so
unpredictable a thing as the weather to stand between them and
their enjoyment of this delicious fruit.
The orange has a modest mineral content but a good ripe fruit
will have at least 50mg of vitamin C in 100g (4oz), a smallish
fruit. There are also plenty of the interesting and probably
important bioflavonoids. There is much experience which strongly
suggests that when vitamin C is taken, for example as an
anti-infective, the effect is reinforced in the presence of
these bioflavonoids.
In nature they are often found naturally occurring in vitamin
C-rich fruits such as rose hips and green peppers. Other names
for the bioflavonoids include rutin and hesperidin. They have
been used in concentrated form for the treatment of high
blood-pressure, as anti-coagulants and as part of the treatment
for colds.
Orange juice is very nutritious and pleasant to take at any
time, but it is a good idea to take a regular glass daily during
the winter months to make certain that you are having enough
vitamin C. The fat soluble vitamins, A, D and E can be stored in
the body, but you need your vitamin C regularly.