Organic Citrus for a Strong Immune System
Your immune system is one of the main systems in your body. It’s a network of organs, cells, and tissues that work together to defend against infections and illness. It fights off organisms called pathogens, which can come in the form of viruses, bacteria, fungi, and parasites. Your immune system works to kick out these pathogens when they enter the body, as well as shorten the length of time you are sick, the Cleveland Clinic explains.
Your immune system knows how to rise up and fight disease on its own. However, consistent positive behaviors that lead to good health can also help. Eating a diet of nutrient-packed fresh fruits and vegetables, particularly those containing vitamins A and C, are vital for your immune system and should be
Consumed every day.
Vitamin C contains antioxidants, which are molecules that fight off other molecules (called free radicals) that damage cells in the body. While your body makes its own antioxidants, you can also get them from foods like fresh fruit. Vitamin C also helps make collagen, the connective tissue in your immune system and other systems in your body, the Harvard School of Public Health explains.
Vitamin A’s job is to stimulate the production of white blood cells, also called leukocytes. The American Cancer Society calls white blood cells “the main type of cell responsible for protecting the body against infections.” Preformed vitamin A is found in animal products and fortified foods, while certain plant foods contain carotenoids, which your body can convert into vitamin A.
One way to achieve your recommended daily dose of vitamin C is by eating whole foods, like fresh citrus. There are several varieties of citrus to choose from, including Navel oranges, Cara Cara oranges, and Blood oranges:
Navel oranges are seedless and a combination of sweet and tart. One navel orange contains 90 percent of the recommended daily value of vitamin C (based on a diet of 2,000 calories per day).
Cara Cara oranges are sweet and pink on the inside. One Cara Cara orange contains 100 percent of the vitamin C that you need in a day.
Blood oranges have deep red colored fruit and juice. Beyond the alluring aesthetics, blood oranges offer health-promoting nutrients and traits that have wide-ranging protective powers and have 9 times the antioxidant capacity of Navel oranges.
Citrus is also good for your body in other ways. Beyond vitamin C, oranges also offer carotenoids, dietary fiber, folate and other nutrients.
Fresh citrus is not only a seasonal delicacy. California’s unique climate allows fresh citrus to be harvested by citrus growers year-round; no matter the month, there will always be some type of fresh California orange available. These beauties are long-lasting when stored in a refrigerator below 42 degrees as well.
Tune in later throughout the week for great citrus recipes courtesy Lake Tahoe Markets.
This is the time of years for the freshest citrus products as this is their natural harvest time.
Until Next Time…
Happy Gardening…
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