Citrus fruits are probably even healthier than we all thought. Researchers have found unmeasured antioxidant levels, showing scientists wrong about the health benefits of citrus fruits. These antioxidants prevent free radical damage and lower the risk of many diseases such as cancer, premature ageing, and cardiovascular diseases.
Are all our current antioxidant levels in fruit undervalued?
Researchers from the University of Granada have developed a new technique that shows much higher antioxidant activity in citrus fruit than current methods indicate. This could mean all our current information about the values is wrong and needs to be re-examined.
Ten times more antioxidants
A new study by the University of Granada uses a new technique called ‘global antioxidant response’ (GAR). This shows that the amount of antioxidants is ten times higher than previously thought.
Jose Angel Rufian Henares, professor at the University of Granada explains why previous methods did not measure this: “The problem is that the antioxidant activity of the solid fraction (the fiber) isn’t measured, as it’s assumed that it isn’t beneficial. However, this insoluble fraction arrives at the large intestine and the intestinal microbiota can also ferment it and extract even more antioxidant substances, which we can assess with our new methodology,”
Current techniques failed to measure the ‘solid fraction’ (the fiber) of the fruit. This has always thought of as not being beneficial.
Pure natural juice
If you want to reap the benefits of citrus fruit, always go for pure, homemade juice. Or for organic, unsweetened juice. When citrus juice is stripped of its oxygen, the flavours also vanish. So the big companies add flavours and aromas to make it taste fresh again. These are made from orange essence and oil, so they do not have to be mentioned on the package. However we have no idea if these chemicals are harmful or not.
So next time you are blending or juicing citrus fruits, throw in the pulp as well to get more fibers and healing antioxidants out of the fruits.
Don’t forget to download my FREE green smoothie eBook or connect with me on Facebook or Google+ for more healthy tips, tricks, and recipes.
Also Read:
15 Reasons You Should Be Drinking Lemon Water Every Morning
15 Clever Ways To Use Leftover Lemon Peels
