How vitamin c from oranges is far better than taking vitamin c supplements?

Oranges are rich in vitamin C, and people with stomach problems should not eat them on an empty stomach. Known as the natural "vitamin C warehouse," oranges dominate the fruit market in autumn with their delightful aroma and sweet and sour taste, giving people a refreshing feeling.

As we enter the autumn and winter season, the stage is set for citrus fruits, and other fruits pale in comparison to the bright colors and juicy taste of citrus fruits. We have previously introduced various citrus fruits such as oranges, tangerines, and grapefruits, but among them, oranges are the top choice.

My friend, Professor Lao Li, who teaches at university, has a lot to say about the benefits of oranges. He has conducted numerous studies on the impact of oranges on human health, including one on the antioxidant function of vitamin C in oranges. He gave 20 healthy adults about 500 milliliters of freshly squeezed orange juice to drink daily for 30 consecutive days. The study found that the subjects' blood vitamin C levels increased significantly, and their ability to eliminate free radicals was also greatly enhanced. This study shows that firstly, the antioxidant function of vitamin C in oranges is very strong, and secondly, the amount of vitamin C in oranges is very high.

Professor Li provided the participants with orange juice. However, compared to fresh oranges, the latter contains higher levels of vitamin C and flavonoids, and preserves its nutritional components more completely. Consuming 1-2 oranges per day is extremely beneficial for supplementing the body with vitamin C.

Many of my acquaintances are not accustomed to purchasing fresh fruit and use their busy work schedule as an excuse. When I tell them that this can lead to insufficient nutrient intake, they confidently respond with, "It's fine, I'll just take a vitamin C effervescent tablet or a multivitamin. It's just as effective for supplementing nutrients, and it's simple and convenient."

If you also have this notion, you are greatly mistaken. The natural vitamin C found in fresh oranges has a physiological activity and nutritional value that ordinary vitamin supplements cannot compare to. Just from the antioxidant function of vitamin C alone, the antioxidant effect of vitamin C tablets is far inferior to that of fresh oranges. Furthermore, besides being rich in vitamin C, fresh oranges also contain abundant flavonoids, carotenoids, and other nutritional components that have many additional nutritional benefits. Currently, there is no artificial nutritional supplement that can completely replace the nutrition provided by fresh ingredients. Therefore, do not be misled by advertising and do not use pickiness or laziness as an excuse. If you want to have a healthy body, you must comprehensively consume various foods for their nutrients.

If you truly are not accustomed to purchasing fresh fruit, drinking some fresh-squeezed orange juice is also acceptable, as it is still better than taking vitamin supplements. However, it is worth noting that during the process of juicing oranges, dietary fiber is inevitably lost. In other words, drinking orange juice does not provide a feeling of fullness, making it easy to drink too much and cause excessive intake of sugar. As a result, one of the most concerning indicators of health, blood sugar, may increase significantly.

Directly consuming oranges is different because it requires chewing, which gives a feeling of satiety and contains rich dietary fiber that fills up the stomach and prevents overeating. Overeating oranges is not recommended due to the risk of "carotenemia," a medical condition caused by excess consumption of oranges or other fruits containing high levels of carotene. This condition causes the skin to turn yellow due to the accumulation of carotene in the subcutaneous fat layer. However, the occurrence of this symptom is rare.

I have a friend who was so enthusiastic about the benefits of oranges that she consumed them every day and even squeezed their juice. Unfortunately, after a period of time, her skin turned yellow. Nevertheless, carotenemia caused by excessive orange consumption only affects appearance and has no significant impact on health. To avoid this condition, one should reduce the intake of foods high in carotene and allow the body to metabolize the accumulated carotene gradually, and the yellow hue will gradually fade away.

Apart from containing vitamin C, orange peels emit a pleasant fragrance that helps to relieve stress, freshen breath, and eliminate bad odors. If one consumes food with a pungent odor, such as garlic or seafood, eating an orange can replace the odor with the sweet scent of oranges.

Furthermore, it is common knowledge that oranges tend to have a tart taste due to their high citric acid content. In order to prevent irritation to our gastric mucosa, individuals with excessive stomach acid secretion or gastric ulcers are advised to avoid consuming oranges on an empty stomach or prior to meals. Additionally, since oranges contain high levels of citric acid and sugar, it is recommended to promptly brush or rinse one's teeth after consuming them to prevent any negative impact on dental health.