Citrus fruits that can keep you healthy during the winter

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (KCRG) - Whitney Hemmer talks about citrus fruits that can help you stay healthy during the winter.

Citrus

Types of Citrus

• Orange
• Grapefruit
• Tangerines
• Lemon
• Limes

Benefits

• Available in winter months
• Help prevent certain heart disease and some cancers (mouth, throat, stomach)
• Zero grams of fat, cholesterol or sodium
• Low calorie

Fiber

• Average American adults 25-30g per day
• Most are only getting about half that
• Example: 1 medium tangerine has 3 grams of fiber and only 50 calories

Vitamin C

• Help reduce the length of common cold symptoms but cannot prevent the common cold
• Antioxidant – helps protect your body from free radicals
• Free radicals damage your cells and can lead to heart disease, certain cancers and premature aging
• Collagen formation
  • collagen is found in skin, tendons and blood vessels
• Helps your body absorb iron from plant foods and fortified foods (such as fortified cereal)
• Try eating grapefruit with your fortified cereal to increase iron absorption

Potassium

• Electrolyte that is responsible for muscle contractions and regulating blood pressure

Citrus Selection:   Choose fruit that has thin, smooth, blemish-free skin and is heavy for its size.

Storage

• Stored at room temperature for 1 week
• Stored in the refrigerator for 2 to 3 weeks
• Freeze the zest and rinds only
  

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