From boosting digestion to detoxifying the body, as the temperature falls, the fruit rules the chart as a life-giving force. By Team Viva
Only a few things in life come with multiple benefits. An orange is one of them. It not only appeals to the tastebuds but is healthy. It is said that of all the citrusy and tarty fruits we consume, orange is the king, especially during winters.
SS Ghosh, Chef De Partie, Cold Kitchen, The Ashok, says, “These are one of the key ingredients in any kitchen, be it commercial or household. With oranges handy, one can whip up a range of recipes starting from breakfast juice to a soup to a healthy salad and a rich butter and cream cake. Oranges are not only a rich source of Vitamin C and anti-oxidants but also provide the body with Vitamin A and D which other citrus fruits don’t. They impart a sweet as well as a tangy taste.”
Helps de-stressing
The fruit is essential to de-stress one’s mind. The refreshing aroma opens up the olfactory nerves and relieves the mind. Add a few drops of essential oil extracted from oranges in warm water and soak your feet. Feel your nerves detangling and releasing all the bad vibes. Oranges are mood boosters as they help to release endorphins and make you happy in gloomy winter weather. Besides being a rich source of anti-oxidants, they are also low on calories.
Boosts immunity
Cold is the most common condition which hits the immune system of the body during harsh winters. Being one of the citrusiest fruits, orange boosts up pathogens to build up resistance against foreign germs and allergy. According to a research, published in the Harvard Health Publishing by Harvard Medical School, vitamin C is beneficial when it comes to common cold. Another research published in Science Daily by the American Heart Association, says that consuming citrus fruits, especially oranges and grapefruits, may help to lower heart risk as they provide protection against heart diseases by improving the functioning of the blood vessels. They also have anti-inflammatory properties.
Ensures healthier skin
Winters leave the skin dry and deprive it of its glow which in turn adds years to your face. Consuming natural vitamin C though a pulpy source like, orange provides hydration making the skin look fuller and healthy. Anti-oxidants protect the skin from the harmful effects of UV rays which damage the skin. Orange peel skin-masks are perfect to clear your skin and get the glow back.
Helps in weight loss
As a rich source of fibre, orange is a perfect low calorie snack. It is a rich source of anti-oxidants while the soluble fibers keep the hunger pangs away. Adding it to your diet makes one feel full though not stuffed, thus preventing overeating. The pulp also helps in clearing the intestinal tract effectively, thus aiding a healthy digestive system. The added bonus is that a health gut is directly related to a healthy glow on the face.
Recipes
Orange carrot and mint soup
What you need:
- Butter: 20 gm
- Orange: 2
- Carrot: 300 gm
- Mint leaves: 2 gm
- Ginger: 5 gm
- Garlic: 5 cloves
- Onion: 50 gm
- Salt (to taste)
Method:
- Squeeze the juice from the oranges and keep aside
- Melt butter in a pan and sauté onion, garlic, ginger and carrots
- Pour vegetable stock to the sautéed vegetables and bring to a boil
- Simmer for further 10 minutes, transfer to another bowl and let it cool
- Blend the boiled vegetables and pass through a sieve
- Put the pureed vegetables in a pan, add the freshly squeezed orange juice and mint leaves and gently reheat the soup
- Add salt as required and serve hot
- Fresh cream can be added to the soup if required
Orange and cucumber salad with honey-hung curd dip
What you need:
- Orange: 2
- Cucumber: 1
- Cherry tomato: 6
- Green bell pepper: 1
- Hung curd: 40 gm
- Honey: 5 gm
- Parsley: 2 gm
- Salt (to taste)
Method:
- Peel and dice cucumber and orange
- Halve the cherry tomatoes and dice the bell peppers
- Mix all the diced ingredients together
- Beat together hung curd, honey, salt and chopped parsley
- Toss it onto the salad, mix thoroughly and serve cold.
