MY WORLD OF TRUTH

Oranges are a round, segmented citrus fruit with a pitted peel. The taste can vary from juicy and sweet to bitter, depending on the variety – more common varieties include Valencia, Seville and Hamlin. Oranges are available all year round, except for some varieties such as blood oranges, which have a shorter season.

Oranges are well known for their vitamin C content which is a powerful antioxidant, helping protect our cells from damage. Just one medium orange will provide the RDA (Recommended Daily Allowance) of vitamin C for adults.

They also contain health-promoting compounds known as flavanones. Research suggests that these citrus phytochemicals help support the body and protect us from conditions such as heart disease and cancer, as well as having some anti-inflammatory, antiviral and antimicrobial benefits.

Oranges are also a good source of fibre, B vitamins, vitamin A, calcium and potassium.

Just one orange counts towards one of your five-a-day. One 150ml glass of unsweetened orange juice also counts as one portion, although the NHS advises that orange juice can still only count once per day, no matter how much you drink. Orange juice doesn't contain the fibre that is present in the whole fruit and is high in sugars, so the NHS advises that fruit juice is best consumed with food to limit the damage to teeth.

Orange peel actually contains higher amounts of certain nutrients than the flesh, so using recipes that incorporate the zest of an orange will give your diet an extra boost.

There has been an ongoing debate since the 1970s as to whether oranges, or more specifically their vitamin C content, can actually help prevent a cold or reduce the symptoms and duration. Recent research by the University of Helsinki found that, in fact, taking vitamin C has no effect on colds once you have one, but that it could help in prevention.

Research suggests that one antioxidant compound found in oranges, called hesperidin, may be beneficial in helping to lower high blood pressure and cholesterol. This research also suggests that consuming citrus fruits as part of a healthy diet may reduce your risk of cardiovascular disease.