The Superpowers of Oranges Beyond Vitamin C

Healthful eating starts with the ingredients you use, so it’s important to use fresh, seasonal ingredients that pack a nutritional punch. One of the easiest ways to meet your daily nutrient needs is to eat a variety of whole foods like fruit because they provide a unique mix of beneficial nutrients that can’t always be found in a supplement.

Consider an option like delicious California Navel and Cara Cara oranges, which are in season and available nationwide, offering a wide variety of health benefits. Oranges are best known as an excellent source of vitamin C to support a healthy immune system because one orange can offer 70-100% of the recommended daily value of vitamin C depending on the varietal. However, oranges also offer other important nutrients your body needs to stay healthy, including the following:

Phytonutrients (beneficial compounds produced by plant foods) like flavonoids, which can help mitigate cell damage and support brain and heart health. Citrus is the only type of fruit packed with hesperidin and naringin, two flavonoids that offer anti-inflammatory properties.

Potassium, which the body can’t produce on its own, supports cell function, healthy blood pressure levels, bone health, and hydration. California Navel and Cara Cara oranges are also good sources of fiber, which supports gut health.

Oranges are good sources of folate, which is particularly important to consume during pregnancy because of its role in cell growth, according to the Mayo Clinic.