Vitamin C

The high vitamin C content  in C. sinensis is the most important medicinal purpose of the fruit.  Vitamin C acts as an antioxidant in the body, which can potentially prevent conditions such as cancer, heart disease, and arthritis.  Additionally vitamin C is necessary for the production of collagen, an essential element in producing, repairing, and maintaining many different body tissues.  Scurvy is a condition caused by vitamin C deficiency and is characterized by anemia, brown skin spots, gingivitis, and overall weakness of the body.  Scurvy used to be very common with pirates and sailors who wouldn’t consume fruit over long sailing trips.

Citrus sinensis is the most commonly used citrus fruit in the world.  Not only can the regular fruit be consumed as an energy source, the components in oranges are used in many different manufactured products.  Some of these products include orange juice, gum, candy, soft drinks, perfumes, and other fragrances.

DID YOU KNOW???

-A billion citrus trees are currently being cultivated, so about one tree for every 6-7 people

-In 1999, Americans drank 5.7 gallons of orange juice per person

-Citriculture in Florida alone is a 9 billion dollar industry

-The Wood from Orange trees is used for furniture and cabinets and branches are often used for walking sticks

-Rubbing the peel of an orange over acne is supposed to be a safe and natural cure

-The oil from orange peels is used as an engine cleaner, hand sanitizer, and is being investigated as an insecticide

Nutritional value

of a Florida Orange

per 100 g (3.5 oz) Energy192 kJ (46 kcal)

Carbohydrates

11.54 g

Sugars 9.14 g Dietary Fiber 2.4 g Fat 0.21 g

Protein 0.70 g Thiamine (Vit B12) 0.100 mg (8%) Riboflavin (Vit B2) 0.040 mg (3%) Niacin (Vit B3) 0.400 mg (3%) Pantothenic Acid(B5) 0.250 mg (5%)

Vitamin B6 0.051 mg (4%)

Folate (Vit. B9) 17 μg (4%)

Vitamin C 45 mg (75%)

Calcium 43 mg (4%)

Iron 0.09 mg (1%) Magnesium 10 mg (3%)

Phosphorous12 mg (2%)

Potassium 169 mg (4%)

Zinc 0.08 mg (1%)

Video courtesy of Adrienne Huffman

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