Citrus is a great way to boost your health. A humble fruit that is readily available just about anywhere, at any time, cultivated worldwide. Citrus fruits include lemons, limes, oranges and grapefruit, and tons of other hybrid fruits. Whether it’s immunity-boosting, or cancer-fighting, the health benefits of eating citrus are seemingly endless. Keep reading to learn about why you should eat more citrus.

Some citrus varieties that you may already be familiar with are;

• Sweet oranges: Valencia, navel, blood orange, caracara

• Mandarins: Satsuma, clementine, tangor, tangelo

• Limes: Persian, key lime, kaffir

• Grapefruit: White, ruby red, oroblanco

• Lemons: Eureka, Meyer

• Other kinds: Citron, sudachi, yuzu, pomelos

BOOST IMMUNITY

Citrus fruits are rich in Vitamin C, a key nutrient that boosts immunity and is good for our skin. One medium orange contains all the vitamin C you need per day. Citrus fruit also contains B vitamins, phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, and copper. They also contain other plant compounds that are anti-inflammatory and antioxidant, which helps preserve your body’s cells. These compounds include around 60 types of flavonoids, carotenoids, and essential oils.

GIVES YOU ENERGY

Citrus fruits have a considerably low glycemic index score on the 100-point scale, which means they won’t cause a spike in blood sugar levels. This means the glucose in citrus fruit is released into your bloodstream slowly, offering you a steady stream of energy without the crash that often comes from foods that are high in sugar. 

THEY’RE HYDRATING

There are many fruits that have high water content like tomatoes, cucumber, watermelon, and grapes. But citrus fruits also have super high water content. Eating plenty of water-rich foods such as citrus can help you stay hydrated, which is important to prevent dehydration and help the body's systems function properly.

LOWER STRESS

Two major reasons for a rise in stress levels are the increase of the stress hormone called cortisol and a rise in blood pressure during high anxiety moments. The vitamin C found in citrus fruits works to combat both these stress chemicals and ease anxiety.