When you think of the health benefits of oranges, the first thing that springs to mind is probably vitamin C. Citrus fruits are a terrific source, but oranges (with a medium-size orange coming in at about 62 calories) also provide a number of other protective nutrients. Here are seven reasons to eat more oranges, the health benefits of orange juice and orange peels—as well as simple ways to enjoy this delicious fruit.
One medium orange provides four ounces (or a half cup) of water. Roughly 60-70% of the human body is made of water, and it’s required for every bodily process. According to the Institute of Medicine, women 19 and over need 2.7 liters of total fluid per day (about 11 8-oz cups) and men need 3.7 (about 15 8-oz cups). But that’s total fluid, not just beverages. Foods can provide 20% of your daily fluid needs, and water-rich foods like oranges contribute even more to the daily requirement. Consuming enough daily fluid helps support mental and physical energy, improve circulation, optimize organ function, flush out waste, and maximize metabolism.
A medium orange offers about three grams of fiber, 12% of the daily target. The fiber in oranges supports digestive function, helps regulate blood sugar and insulin levels, boosts feelings of fullness, and can even contribute to healthy sleep.
Nearly two of the three grams of fiber in an orange are soluble fiber. This type of fiber has been shown to help reduce blood cholesterol and fend off internal belly fat called visceral fat. One study that tracked adults over five years found that for each 10-gram increase in soluble fiber consumed, the rate of visceral belly fat accumulation decreased by 3.7%.
That’s significant: Carrying more visceral fat is linked to increased inflammation and a greater risk of chronic diseases, including type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and some cancers.
One orange packs about 80% of the daily goal for vitamin C. In addition to supporting immune function, this key nutrient helps produce collagen, reduce inflammation, and boost the body's ability to use fat as a fuel source, both during exercise and at rest. Too little blood vitamin C has also been tied to increased body fat and waist measurements.
Vitamin C also helps boost the absorption of iron, which can enhance oxygen availability and reduce fatigue. This is especially important for premenopausal women who lose iron through menstruation, and those who follow a plant-based diet, since iron is less readily absorbed from plant sources. Vitamin C also acts as an aging-fighting antioxidant, and it's needed for DNA repair and serotonin production. The latter helps to promote happiness and sleep.
Potassium and folate are two additional vital nutrients found in oranges. Potassium supports heart function and muscle contractions, and it helps maintain muscle mass. This mineral also acts as a natural diuretic, to reduce blood pressure and counter fluid retention. Folate supports the brain and nervous system, and adequate amounts may help protect against depression and memory problems. Oranges also supply smaller amounts of calcium, magnesium, vitamin A, and B vitamins.
Flavonoid antioxidants in oranges provide anti-inflammatory, antiviral, and antimicrobial benefits. They also defend against oxidative stress, which is essentially an imbalance between the production of cell-damaging free radicals and the body's ability to counter their harmful effects.
The antioxidants in oranges may also protect your mental health. A study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that higher flavonoid intake may be associated with lower depression risk, particularly among older women. A higher flavonoid intake is also linked to the prevention of weight gain and reduced body fat.
Health-protective nutrients aren’t only found in oranges and orange juice; they’re also in the peel. Research shows that flavonoids in citrus peels may help prevent the reproduction, growth, and spread of cancer cells, as well as support apoptosis, the self-destruct sequence the body uses to kill off dysfunctional cells.
One older University of Arizona study concluded that eating one tablespoon of citrus zest per week may reduce the risk of squamous cell carcinoma skin cancer by 30%. A particular compound called herperidin, found in orange rind, has also been shown to protect against neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s.
If you consume citrus peel, opt for organic oranges to reduce exposure to pesticide residues. Use a grater to zest the outer skin, avoiding the more bitter white pith. Add orange zest to homemade salads dressings, or as a garnish for oatmeal, fruit salad, and avocado toast to cooked veggies, quinoa, stir fries, and desserts.
While whole oranges are more filling and provide more fiber, juice can count as part of your daily fruit intake. Research on the consumption of citrus juice indicates important benefits. One study found that a higher intake of citrus juice was linked to improvements in cognitive function in older adults. Another found that flavanone-rich citrus juice in quantities commonly consumed can enhance blood flow to the brain in healthy, young adults.
Freshly squeeze your own juice, or look for 100% orange juice or a blend of orange and other whole fruits. Aim for a four-ounce or half cup portion, and think of juice as a serving of fruit or an ingredient rather than a beverage. Add pure orange juice to a stir-fry sauce, marinade, or soup. Use to make cocktails or mocktails, or freeze in an ice cube tray and add to water along with mint or ginger.
Oranges are fantastic as is, but you can also add them to overnight oats, garden salads, stir-fry, chilled whole-grain dishes, savory lettuce wraps, and slaw. When including an orange as a snack, combine with nuts or seeds, nut-based cheese or yogurt, or even herbed olives. And mix it up by incorporating different varieties, including navel, blood, and mandarin.
Cynthia Sass, MPH, RD, is Health's contributing nutrition editor, a New York Times best-selling author, and a private practice performance nutritionist who has consulted for five professional sports teams.
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Medically reviewed by Natalie Butler, R.D., L.D. — Written by Megan Ware, RDN, L.D. on December 10, 2019
- Benefits
- Nutrition
- Diet
- Risks
Oranges are a type of low calorie, highly nutritious citrus fruit. As part of a healthful and varied diet, oranges contribute to strong, clear skin and can help lower a person’s risk of many conditions.
Oranges are popular due to their natural sweetness, the many different types available, and the diversity of uses. For example, a person can consume them in juices and marmalades, eat them whole, or use zested peel to add a tangy flavor to cakes and desserts.
This popular citrus fruit is particularly known for its vitamin C content. However, oranges contain a range of other plant compounds and antioxidants that may reduce inflammation and work against disease.
In this article, we look at the many health benefits of oranges, their nutritional profile, and how to include more in the diet.
The nutrients in oranges offer a range of health benefits. The sections below discuss these benefits in more detail.
Cancer
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As an excellent source of the antioxidant vitamin C, oranges may help combat the formation of free radicals that cause cancer.
Although an adequate vitamin C intake is necessary and very beneficial, the amount a person would need for the desired therapeutic effect on cancer is more than they could realistically consume.
For example, one study concluded that medical scientists could harness the power of vitamin C from oranges to inhibit colorectal cancer cells in the future. However, the authors concede that 300 oranges’ worth of vitamin C would be necessary.
That said, in 2015, a study linked grapefruit and orange juice with a higher risk of skin cancer. Researchers found that people who consumed high amounts of whole grapefruit or orange juice were over a third more likely to develop melanoma than those who consumed low amounts. This may have been due to citrus compounds that exert photocarcinogen properties.
More research is necessary to confirm the effects of orange consumption on cancer risk.
Learn more about the powerful health benefits of vitamin C here.
Blood pressure
Oranges contain no sodium, which helps keep a person below their daily limit. On the other hand, a cup of orange juice can boost daily potassium intake by 14%.
Maintaining a low sodium intake is essential to lowering blood pressure. However, increasing potassium intake may be just as important for reducing a person’s risk of high blood pressure, as it can help support the relaxation and opening of blood vessels.
According to the Office of Dietary Supplements (ODS), increasing potassium intake can reduce the risk of high blood pressure and stroke.
Heart health
Oranges are a good source of fiber and potassium, both of which can support heart health.
According to one 2017 review of previous meta-analyses, consuming enough fiber can significantly reduce the risk of heart disease both developing and being fatal. The review links this effect to its ability to lower cholesterol levels in the blood.
One cup of orange juice can provide 14% of a person’s daily potassium requirement.
The ODS found that people with higher potassium intakes may have a lower risk of stroke and other cardiovascular diseases. They mainly attribute this to the effects of potassium on blood pressure.
Diabetes
A medium orange weighing 131 grams (g) contributes 3.14 g of fiber, which is nearly 10% of an adult’s daily fiber requirement. Several studies have found that fiber can improve some factors that contribute to diabetes development and progression.
For example, one 2019 study found that consuming 4 g of a dietary fiber supplement per day did not reduce blood glucose but improved how the body responds to insulin. Low insulin sensitivity can contribute to type 2 diabetes.
Weight control is also important for reducing the risk of diabetes, as obesity and overweight can contribute to the development of type 2 diabetes. The body processes fiber more slowly than other nutrients, so it can help a person feel fuller for longer and reduce their urge to eat snacks throughout the day.
Following a diet that contains a high proportion of fruits and vegetables can support blood sugar control and reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes and disease progression. That said, a diabetes friendly diet should include healthful foods from a variety of food groups.
Learn more about the best fruits for people with diabetes here.
Skin
Consuming enough vitamin C can help a person maintain skin health and appearance.
Vitamin C contributes to collagen production. Collagen supports the skin, promotes wound healing, and improves skin strength.
The outcome of a 2015 review suggests that dietary vitamin C improved how people perceived their skin health and how healthful it actually was, including appearance, wrinkling, elasticity, and roughness.
One medium orange weighing 131 g provides:
- 61.6 calories
- 0.16 g of fat
- 237 milligrams of potassium
- 15.4 g of carbohydrate
- 12.2 g of sugar
- 1.23 g of protein
The same orange provides the following percentages of a person’s daily requirement of several essential vitamins and minerals, according to United States Department of Agriculture guidelines:
| Nutrient | Percentage of daily requirement for adults |
| Vitamin C | 92.93% for females and 77.44% for males |
| Thiamin | 10.36% |
| Folate | 9.83% |
| Fiber | At least 9.34%, depending on age and sex |
| Calcium | Between 4.36% and 5.24%, depending on age |
| Potassium | 5.04% |
Oranges also contain choline and zeaxanthin.
Choline is an important nutrient in oranges that helps with sleep, muscle movement, learning, and memory. Choline also aids the transmission of nerve impulses, assists in the absorption of fat, and reduces chronic inflammation.
Zeaxanthin is a type of carotenoid antioxidant that can reduce inflammation. According to a 2019 review, it can positively benefit heart, liver, skin, and eye health.
It is best to pick oranges at the peak of their ripeness. Unlike some other fruits, they do not ripen or improve in quality after picking. People should store oranges at room temperature and away from direct sunlight.
It can be hard to find ripe fruits and vegetables in the winter. However, this is the perfect time to buy citrus fruits. Winter is the peak season for oranges and other citruses.
There are several different types of orange available, including:
- navel
- mandarin
- Cara Cara
- blood oranges
- Valencia
- Seville
- Jaffa
Here are some tips for using orange in the diet:
- Keep a bowl on the kitchen table or counter stocked with fresh fruit from the season. Seeing fruits readily available will likely influence people to choose them as a snack, rather than raiding the cupboards for a less healthful option.
- Make a fruit salad using strawberries, pineapple, mandarin oranges, and grapes.
- Add some orange slices to a salad at lunch or dinner. Complement the oranges with walnuts or pecans, a crumbled cheese, and a light balsamic or citrus vinaigrette dressing.
- Make homemade juice. Freshly squeezed orange juice can be a flavorful, refreshing, and nutritious addition to a person’s morning routine. Squeezing orange juice at home will mean that there are no added preservatives or sweeteners.
People with gastroesophageal reflux disease may experience an increase in symptoms such as heartburn and regurgitation when consuming citrus fruits. This is due to their high acid content.
A person can achieve and maintain good health by eating a varied diet that contains many different types and groups of food.
Last medically reviewed on December 10, 2019
Medical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and draws only from peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We avoid using tertiary references. We link primary sources — including studies, scientific references, and statistics — within each article and also list them in the resources section at the bottom of our articles. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.
- Appendix 7. Nutritional goals for age-sex groups based on dietary reference intakes and Dietary Guidelines recommendations. (n.d.).
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