Amidst the cold and dreary winter months, it’s easy to forget what the sun even looks (and feels) like. Most of our favorite produce is far out of season and the memories of summer farmer’s markets are now covered knee deep in snow. But a beam of hope shines down in the form of a bright and sunny family of fruits: the citrus fruits. These delicious fruits are bursting with fresh juice and taste pretty much how you would image the sun to taste (if it didn’t burn your face off first). It’s almost ironic that citrus are seasonal during the coldest months of the year, but we’ll take what we can get.
Besides being incredibly delicious and refreshing, here are 5 more reasons to celebrate citrus:
It Can Put the brakes on your Cold
Perfect, just in time for the sniffle season! Vitamin C (400-500mg) is shown to help lessen symptoms of a cold.
Your Heart Will Be Happy
Citrus such as limes, grapefruit, oranges and lemons contain flavonoids, which can help boost good (HDL) cholesterol and lower bad (LDL) cholesterol. Citrus can also be a great source of potassium which can help lower blood pressure.
Aid Weight Loss
Winter isn’t the easiest time of year to lose weight, but luckily citrus is packed with water and fiber which both help you to feel full and satiated after eating.
Vitamin C Helps You Absorb More Iron
Vitamin C, an antioxidant found in citrus, can aid your body’s ability to absorb iron, especially the kind that comes from non-animal sources. This is huge for vegetarians who are susceptible to iron deficiencies.
Excellent Sources of Antioxidants
Citrus contains high levels of flavonoids which give fruit their color, and bitter taste. Flavonoids are also antioxidants that help fight inflammation and free radicals (which can cause cancer and other harmful disease). The highest level of flavonoids are in the rind and pith of citrus, so make sure to eat the fruit as well as the juice.
For a little taste of sunshine grab one of our four citrus flavors:
Costa Rica Clementine, Limu Lemon, Jamaica Blood Orange and Gimbi Pink Grapefruit
Feeling creative in the kitchen?
Beat the winter blues by mixing together a blood orange margarita.
