Orange is your color
Good things do come in small packages. Recent studies have found that eating mandarin oranges offers protection against certain diseases, including liver cancer. The effect may be due to vitamin A compounds known as carotenoids, which give the oranges their color.
Researchers in Japan surveyed more than 1,000 people in Shizuoka, where mandarin orange consumption is high, and found chemical markers in the blood of residents that were linked to a lower risk of liver disease, hardened arteries, and insulin resistance.
In a separate study, scientists at the Kyoto Prefuctural University of Medicine studied 75 people with viral hepatitis. Thirty of the patients who drank mandarin orange juice for a year had no liver cancer, while the 45 who did not drink the juice had an 8.9 percent incidence of the disease.
Although both studies focused on the benefits of mandarin oranges, we all know that eating a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables each day helps lower the risk of numerous diseases.
If you thought mandarin oranges were only found in cans or served in ambrosia salad, think again. These small, tasty oranges come in several varieties and can be found fresh in many grocery stores. They include clementines, satsumas, and tangors. Some are even marketed as tangerines under the names Dancy, Sunburst, and Murcott. Many varieties, like the clementine, have loose skin that is easily peeled. The oranges are a good source of vitamin C, calcium, and phosphorus. Sources:
"Mandarin oranges found to significantly prevent liver cancer due to their natural medicine," NewsTarget.com, 9/12/06 |
