Orange

Oranges are usually eaten fresh as a dessert or add fruit salad. Can be flame, an essential ingredient of pancakes Crepes Suzette, and is ideal for preparing mousse (crema), souffle, ice cream, sorbet and grenades.

Description and Origin

Sauces based on orange juice will go down well with the well-cooked chicken, but also with creams and mousses based on chocolate or vanilla.

Orange is a round juicy fruit tree orange with orange or yellow rind and sweet, juicy flesh, divided into segments that may or may not need to contain the seeds. Most likely originate from warmer regions of Southeast Asia and southern China, and are mentioned in the beginning of the Christian era in Indian and Chinese texts. Orange, familiar and ancient world because it is believed that the mythical golden apples "Hesperidum small" actually orange.

Oranges were probably brought to Europe Arabs (in Spain) and the Crusaders in France.

There are several types of oranges, and differ in size, color and quality.

Salubrity

Vitamin C participates in many oxidoreduction processes in the body, enhances the absorption of iron, accelerates many metabolic processes, contributing to the defense capabilities and vitality, participates in the formation of collagen - an important connective tissue in bone, cartilage and skin. Vitamin C helps fight fatigue, colds and flu. Acts as an antioxidant and effective in the prophylaxis of certain cancers.

Pectin is a component of the polysaccharides contained in the cell wall. Pectin forms a gel in the intestine that covers the intestinal mucosa by binding bile acids in the digestive system and thus reduces the absorption of fat and cholesterol, especially LDL cholesterol ("bad"), while the concentration of protective HDL-cholesterol remained unchanged. Pectin gel coating the lining of intestines and prevents the absorption of sugar after a meal, which is particularly important in the diet of diabetics.

Phytochemicals are biologically active ingredients unnutritious foods of plant origin, whose antioxidant properties have a positive impact on health by reducing the risk of various diseases.

From orange juice contains phytochemicals terpenes (carotenoids and limonoids) and flavonoids (hesperidin, neo, naringin, tangeretin). Terpenes have extremely strong antioxidant effects in protecting the body from free radicals. Carotenoids improves immunity and protects skin cells from harmful solar radiation. Limonoids protect the lungs and stimulate liver function, detoxification enzymes.

Flavonoids have proven anti-inflammatory, anti-allergic and antiviral activity. Potentiate the action of vitamin C and enhance its absorption. Protect the body against cardiovascular disease and cancer.

Scientific Research Organisation for Scientific and Industrial Research Commonwealth (CSIRO) have shown that consumption of citrus fruits can reduce the risk of cancer of the oral cavity, larynx, esophagus and stomach to 50%. An extra portion of citrus fruit a day, with five recommended daily servings of fruits and vegetables, could also reduce the risk of stroke by 19%. Australian study, based on 498 international studies on the beneficial health effects of citrus fruits, also shows that this fruit may reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, obesity and diabetes.

Energy and nutritive value

Orange is a valuable source of vitamins and minerals is an excellent source
Vitamin C (52% of RDA - recommended daily allowance per serving), thiamine, riboflavin, pantothenic acid, folate, potassium, calcium and magnesium. Because adequate mineral content has properties remineralizanta - helps remove toxins from the body.
Of the organic acid includes citric, maleic, and others in smaller quantities. Besides the orange pulp and rind are used to with plenty of vitamins and minerals and contains essential oil, tannins, bitter substances, pectin, and phytochemicals. If the bark is used, it is very important that the fruit is grown organically, without pesticides and other chemicals.
The essential oil is the main component of limonene (about 96%), and the distinctive aroma comes from citrala and citronelala.