Blood orange or red orange is a variety of the sweet orange with dark red flesh. It is the result of a mutation in the common orange under specific conditions. This distinctive shade is due to the presence of anthocyanins, a compound with antioxidant properties, common in many flowers and fruits, but rare in citrus fruits.
Anthocyanins are a natural antioxidant and water-soluble pigments that also provide protection from ultraviolet light. On the one hand, antioxidant substances counteract free radicals and oxidative damage within the cells. And anthocyanins, in particular, are involved in the body's fat metabolism (lipogenesis), which is why blood orange is a useful ingredient in some dietary supplements for weight management. Let us remind you, once again, that these types of supplements are an aid to healthy nutritional and lifestyle habits.
As a fruit, its vitamin C (ascorbic acid) content is 40% higher than that of ordinary oranges. This vitamin increases the absorption of iron and participates in collagen synthesis, thus preventing premature ageing. Blood oranges, like other plant-based sources, are also a valuable source of folic acid (Vitamin B9), essential for many bodily functions and during pregnancy. But, in order to benefit from these properties, it must be consumed as a whole fruit.
Enviado por DocMorris
