Grapefruit is a nutritious fruit that’s easy to add to your diet because it doesn’t require much preparation time or special cooking tactics. Here are some ways to make it even easier to add grapefruit to your routine.

Plan

It can feel daunting to eat healthy when our world is always on the go.  At the end of a long and busy day, it’s sometimes hard to muster the mental energy to decide what to make for dinner, let alone actually make it.  If you aren’t an early bird, mornings might be a mad dash to get out the door and to work on time, leaving no time for breakfast.

Making a meal plan ahead of time can take the pressure off you during the week and help you stick to a schedule.  Meal planning doesn’t have to be time-consuming.  Set aside an hour or two during your days off to go through your fridge and pantry to see what you have on hand.  Use this inventory to plan your meals for the week, making a grocery list of additional items needed as you go. You can find what works for you and your tastes, but try to incorporate grapefruit into at least one meal or snack a day.  You don’t have to reinvent the wheel either; if you find a recipe that works, repeat it as often as you like each week!  It can even be something fun, like having a Paloma on a Saturday night out or grapefruit mimosas with Sunday brunch.

Prep

Planning your meals is sure to help you stick to your grapefruit routine, but you can take it one step further by doing weekly meal prep as well.  Again, set aside a block of time on a day off (after you’ve made your meal plan and grocery shopped!) to prep food that will make your daily meals quick and easy.  For example, if you are topping your lunch salads with grapefruit, cut and section enough grapefruit for each day. Cut grapefruit can be kept in the fridge for about 3–4 days, or until it begins to become soft, so you can do two smaller batches of prepping during the week or freeze half of the prepped batch and pull them out to thaw as needed. Store them in individually sized airtight containers so you can easily pack one in your lunchbox each day.  Frozen grapefruit segments are also great for tossing in smoothies or as cocktail garnishes.  Try freezing freshly squeezed grapefruit juice in ice trays.  Once frozen, transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or container and you’ll have them on hand to add to water, cocktails, juice, smoothies, sorbets, and more!

Find Recipes Fit for You

The most important thing about incorporating grapefruit into your routine is making sure your choices are fit for your routine. If you don’t like eating plain grapefruit and plan to eat plain grapefruit for a snack every day, you are not going to look forward to it and it can become a roadblock for you.  If you don’t have the time to cook an elaborate breakfast that features grapefruit every morning, putting those recipes in your meal plan is unrealistic and will be discouraging when you cannot keep up.  You can find recipes to try on the Yarden blog or sites like Pinterest.  Try out different recipes to find not only what tastes good, but ones that are easy and manageable for you to make.  You want to make it as enjoyable as possible when adding more grapefruit to your diet!

As a closing bonus, adding a grapefruit tree to your Yarden or indoor plant collection is an easy way to have fresh grapefruit literally at your fingertips!

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They’re called a “superfood” for a reason. Tiny-but-mighty blueberries pack a powerful punch of healthy vitamins and minerals. They’re delicious and so easy to snack on, and they’re super versatile in cooking and baking, too. Best of all, they add flavor and sweetness to your healthy diet without adding to your waistline. Read on for a list of just some of this fruit’s health benefits:

Blueberries are full of antioxidants.

The beautiful color of blueberries? That comes from anthocyanins, which are antioxidants that help protect your body from free radicals. Free radicals are unstable molecules that can damage your cells and contribute to premature aging and can also increase the risk of certain cancers. The antioxidants in blueberries may also help maintain healthy brain function and improve memory.

Blueberries contain fiber.

Fiber is important for the health of the digestive system and for lowering cholesterol. According to the American Heart Association, we all need about 25-30 grams of fiber per day, and many foods contain fiber, like apples, oranges, vegetables, lentils, peas, and oats. One cup of blueberries has 4 grams of fiber, which is a small portion of the daily amount, but they’re a such a tasty way to supplement your fiber intake from other sources.

Blueberries contain vitamin C.

One cup of blueberries contains 24 percent of the recommended daily allowance of vitamin C. Vitamin C is proven to help protect against immune system deficiencies, eye disease, cardiovascular disease, and even wrinkles.

Blueberries contain vitamin K.

One cup of blueberries contains a whopping 36 percent of the recommended daily allowance of vitamin K, which is needed by the body to produce prothrombin. This is an essential protein that helps regulate blood calcium levels, helps promote blood clotting, and helps support strong bones.

Blueberries contain manganese.

One cup of blueberries contains one-fourth of the daily recommended allowance of manganese. This is a mineral that the body needs in small amounts to help the brain function normally and to protect the nervous system.

Blueberries can help lower blood pressure.

High blood pressure is a major risk factor for heart disease. In one eight-week study, obese people who had a high risk of heart disease were found to have a reduction in blood pressure after eating just 2 ounces of blueberries per day—that’s only one-fourth of a cup!

Blueberries may help fight UTIs.

It makes sense, since blueberries are related to cranberries. Both berries (and huckleberries, too) contain substances called anti-adhesives. These substances help prevent harmful bacteria like E. coli from adhering to the bladder wall.

All of these benefits… and blueberries are also low-cal!

That’s right—all of these health benefits come with a low-cal price tag. One cup of blueberries contains just 84 calories, so munch away!

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Blueberries are amazing little wonders. Often called a superfood, they get their intense blue color and their health benefits from anthocyanins. These are antioxidants that can help to lower blood pressure, reduce inflammation, protect against heart disease, and more. They also contain essential fiber and vitamin C. Blueberries are low-calorie, super tasty, versatile in in cooking and baking, and pleasantly sweet.

Well, most blueberries are sweet. We’ve all had that experience when we pop a blueberry into our mouth expecting a sweet taste but end up wincing at the tartness instead. It’s hard to tell whether a blueberry will be sweet just by looking at its size, but make note of the color—in general, the darker and bluer a blueberry is, the sweeter it should taste.

The most common cause of sour blueberries is over-production on your blueberry plant. Some experts suggest removing all blossoms for the first year or two as you let the plant’s root system fully establish itself. This should lead to bigger and sweeter blueberries in later years.

When you’re ready to harvest your blueberries from your edible plant, try sampling a few berries first. This is the best way to test for sweetness, although keep in mind that the berries could be ripening at different times on the same bush. You may end up with some sweet and some sour blueberries from the same harvest.

If the blueberries you’re tasting seem too tart, let them continue ripening on the plant a little longer. Blueberries can remain on the bush for around 10 days after they begin to ripen, during which time they become plumper and sweeter. Keep an eye on them and keep sampling!

If you find that you’re stuck with a batch of sour blueberries, though, don’t worry. Although sour blueberries will remain sour after they’re picked, they aren’t wasted. There are plenty of ways to make use of blueberries that aren’t quite as sweet as you hoped:

Bake with them. Blueberries hold up well in baked goods like pies, muffins, and cobblers. To prevent blueberries from sinking in your muffins, spoon half the batter into the cups, add the blueberries, and cover with more batter. You can also lightly coat your blueberries in flour or cornstarch before stirring them gently into the batter.

Cook with them. Blueberries aren’t just for desserts! Cooking blueberries will intensify the sweetness but won’t destroy the antioxidant benefits. Blueberries that taste slightly sour or tart are ideal for savory dressings and sauces.

Sweeten them. Adding honey, maple syrup, sugar, or other sweeteners to your sour blueberries won’t completely take away the tartness, but they’ll counteract it nicely. Eat your sweetened blueberries plain or toss them into smoothies, yogurt, or cereal.

Freeze them. If you end up with lots of blueberries—whether they’re sour or sweet—you can always freeze them to use later. They freeze individually and won’t clump together into a big mess. If you want to rinse your blueberries first, dry them completely with paper towels before putting them in freezer containers or resealable plastic bags. Toss frozen blueberries right into smoothies. For other uses, thaw first, and rinse them off if you didn’t rinse them before putting them in the freezer.

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Vitamin C or ascorbic acid is known to play a big role in boosting the immune system. It is also essential for the normal growth and repair of body cells and tissues. Aside from supplements, you can also get Vitamin C from fresh fruits especially citrus fruits such as lemons and limes.

Lemons are the best source of Vitamin C

Lemon is a popular citrus fruit that is an excellent source of vitamin C. 100gms of lemon is equivalent of 53mg of vitamin C – it has more vitamin C when compared to other fruits belonging to the citrus family. Research found that it also contains vitamin B, calcium, copper, iron and potassium.

Health benefits of Lemons:

• Improves digestive system
• Prevent kidney stones
• Natural Antioxidant
• Weight loss
• Cancer prevention
• Support heart health

Like lemon, lime is also a good source of vitamin C, and both citrus fruits are rich in vitamins and minerals. If you want to have both cultivars you should consider growing a Lemon-Lime Tree called Citrus Cocktail tree.

Planting a Lemon tree

We all know that lemons are sold in markets, grocery stores, and even online stores. Why don’t you try planting a Lemon Tree in your vacant backyard or even inside your house? Lemons can grow either outdoors or indoors. There are many varieties of lemon and lime trees available. One of them is the Cocktail Lemon-Lime Tree (the combination of Meyer lemon tree and Key-lime tree) which allows you to grow two different fruits on one tree.

Citrus trees or citrus cocktail trees are suited to tropical locations because of their cold-sensitivity. These trees can be planted in the ground or in a container as long as they have good water drainage, since citrus trees do not like soggy soil. You have to equip yourself with knowledge on how to take care of a citrus tree, from watering, to the type of soil you can use for planting, to pruning and mulching. When it comes to mulching make sure that you leave a distance of at least 6 inches between the trunk and mulch

If you’re looking for more information on proper handling of a citrus tree, feel free to visit our website yarden.com and click the “Blog” button on the upper right hand section of the page to see reviews and tips. We also sell Citrus cocktail trees and other varieties of Citrus trees.

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Navel Orange Origin

It may be one of the most popular fruits in the entire American continent, but Navel Oranges did not originate from the United States. So where are Navel Oranges from? The first Navel orange was found growing in Brazil in the early 1800s as a spontaneous mutation on an orange tree. It wasn’t until in the 1870s that the first Washington Navel Orange cutting was planted in Southern California. As soon as it started bearing fruits, it became popular because it is exceptionally sweet, richly flavored and refreshingly juicy. Because of its instant popularity, it became an immediate success and soon after, thousands of acres of land in California were dedicated to growing both the standard-size and dwarf Washington Navel Orange trees.

FAQs

• Why are Navel Oranges called Navel Oranges – Navel orange got its name from the tiny second orange fruit found growing in the blossom end. This tiny rudimentary fruit creates the illusion of the fruit having a bellybutton – hence the name Navel Orange.
• Why do Navel Oranges have navels? – The navel-like formation found on the blossom end of the fruit is an undeveloped secondary fruit – these oranges are like conjoined twins with the second one not growing into maturity.
•  From where do Navel Oranges originate? – Navel Oranges were first discovered growing on an orange tree in Brazil.
• Where are Navel Oranges grown? – Commercial Navel Oranges are primarily grown in California, Arizona, and Florida.
• How are Navel Oranges grown? – Since Navel Oranges are seedless they can only be propagated by grafting a cutting from an old Navel tree to a scion of a compatible citrus tree.
• When do Navel Orange trees bloom? – Both standard-size and dwarf Navel Orange trees are in bloom in spring, with the greatest number of flowers produced in April.
• How big is a Navel Orange fruit? – The typical Navel Orange fruit size is 3-inches across, with some growing as big as 4.5 inches in diameter.
• Where can I find a Washington Navel Orange tree for sale? – You can call citrus nurseries or check online for nurseries that can deliver a standard or dwarf Navel Orange tree in your area.
• What are the health benefits of eating Navel Orange? – Navel Oranges are packed with nutrients that can help protect the body from contracting diseases, and help the body heal faster after getting damaged. It is filled with Vitamin A, C, and E – the perfect trifecta of vitamins that are known for their anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Navel Oranges also have potassium that is good for the heart, dietary fiber that is good for the digestive system, B6 that helps boost the production of hemoglobin in the bloodstream, and calcium that promotes healthy bones. Other important nutrients found in Navel Oranges are citrates, beta-carotene, folate, and phytonutrients.  

The post Health Benefits: The Fascinating History of Navel Oranges appeared first on Yarden.

• Citrus fruits are rich in plant compounds like vitamin C which helps strengthens the immune system and helps protect us from common colds and other illnesses. It also helps keep our skin smooth and elastic, plus it fights free radicals in the body that cause cancer.
• Fresh fruits are an excellent source of dietary fiber that helps improve our digestive system, aids in losing weight and also lowers bad cholesterol. High levels of bad cholesterol can cause the development of fatty deposits in the blood vessels increasing our risk of contracting heart diseases. The soluble fiber content of fresh fruits binds with cholesterol particles in our digestive system and moves them out of our body before they get absorbed.
• Citrus fruits like the lemons and limes from the cocktail citrus tree are excellent sources of thiamin and folate. Thiamin is a type of vitamin B that plays an essential role in our metabolism, while folate is crucial for cell division and DNA synthesis.

Citrus is not just Orange

Although orange is the most popular and the world’s most favorite citrus, there are other unique citrus varieties you should try. Check out yarden.com for citrus cultivars you may be interested in growing in your backyard. To make an informed decision be sure to read the citrus.com reviews to know the quality of trees shipped out to valued customers.

One particular citrus tree that may pique your interest is the citrus fruit cocktail tree. This is a combination of the sweet Meyer Lemon and flavorful Key Lime grown on a single tree. The lemon lime citrus tree cultivar is not your typical seed grown tree. It is cultivated via a cutting and grafting method to achieve the desired results.

More about the Fruit Cocktail Tree Citrus

The fruit cocktail citrus tree is a cold-hardy, evergreen, and ever-blooming citrus tree that is best grown in citrus growing zones 9 to 11. It has a superior root structure and is highly resistant to pests and diseases. What makes it an awesome fruiting tree is that it is dwarfish and grows around 6 to 9 feet tall, plus it is a 2-in-1 tree that bears two kinds of citrus fruits on a single tree so it is an efficient space saver.

Citrus Cocktail Tree Care

Just like other citrus trees, the cocktail tree citrus needs proper care to grow healthy and bear fruits. It needs sunlight, adequate watering, cold protection, pruning, citrus tree mulch, and balanced fertilizer.

FAQs

• Should you mulch citrus trees? – Yes, you should mulch citrus trees. Mulching citrus trees is beneficial because it aids in cutting down on potential water loss, helps maintain the soil temperature, and prevents weed growth around the trees that only steal away the nutrients in the soil, which the citrus trees need to grow.
• What is the best mulch for citrus trees? – Organic mulch like wood chips and grass clippings are the best mulch around citrus trees as their slow decomposition process makes it possible for the soil to have a constant supply of nutrients.
• Where can I get a citrus cocktail tree for sale? – You may visit the citrus.com website and purchase it there.
• When to pick citrus fruit? – Citrus fruits take a few months to mature and ripen. Check the outer appearance of the fruit and see if the peel has changed color and has taken on a glossier look. The next step is to gently squeeze the fruit and see if it gives a little; if it doesn’t the fruit is most likely not ripe, if it is mushy then the fruit is most likely overripe. The last step is to take a taste test and check if the fruit is juicy and offers a satisfactory flavor. You may then harvest the rest of the fruits you need if the fruit you tested has passed all the tests you have done on it.

The post A Fruitful Diet: The Many Benefits of Fresh Citrus & Fruit appeared first on Yarden.

First things first, and health is at the top of everyone’s priority list at the start of a new year. Consuming vegetables and citrus fruit like grapefruit complement both your health and fitness goals.

Vitamin C

Grapefruit is an excellent source of vitamin C, which helps to support the immune system. Vitamin C-rich foods may help reduce cold symptoms and their severity. These foods may also prevent the free radicals that trigger asthma and arthritis. Free radicals could oxidize cholesterol and lead to plaques, ultimately causing heart disease.

Antioxidants

Grapefruit has been found to be one of the top, citrus fruit juices with high levels of antioxidant activity. Antioxidants are substances that help prevent the damaging effects of oxidation on cells throughout your body and can be found in many foods, primarily fruits and vegetables. Health authorities say that getting antioxidants from food can offer health benefits superior to those taken in supplements.

Cholesterol

Grapefruit contains pectin, a form of soluble fiber that has been shown in studies to slow down the progression of atherosclerosis. Both blond and red grapefruit can reduce blood levels of LDL (“bad”) cholesterol, while red grapefruit lowers triglycerides as well.  Hence, researches have concluded that adding fresh, red grapefruit to the diet could be beneficial for everyone, but in particular for persons with high cholesterol, who have high triglycerides as well.

There is a word of caution, as compounds in grapefruit are known to increase circulating levels of several prescription drugs including statins. For this reason, the risk of muscle toxicity associated with statins may increase when grapefruit is consumed. Consult with your doctor regarding the interaction of any prescription medications you are taking and grapefruit or grapefruit juice.

Varieties

Ruby Red Grapefruit- Plump, thin skinned, blushing red and dripping with nature’s own sweet nectar. Widely grown in Florida and great broiled.

Sweet White Grapefruit- Known for their thin smooth skin and big flavor, filled with an abundance of sweet invigorating juice, they’re perfect for fresh eating, salads and refreshing juice.

Dazzling Deep Red Grapefruit- Bright, beautiful and featuring a warm crimson blush outside adding depth and richness to the deep, dark red flesh inside. They are sweet and seedless as the Ruby Reds.

Pummelo HB- Pummelos have a pink-colored flesh and are low acid, sweet and mild grapefruit. Use in desserts or salad fruit; peel is sometimes used for marmalade.

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Citrus fruits, particularly Honeybells, oranges, grapefruit, and tangerines, are in many ways like the “all stars” among fruits. To put it simply, they are jam-packed with vitamins and other nutritional requirements.  These fruits, often found in citrus fruit baskets and other gift packages, offer a great way to enjoy superb taste while reaping the benefits of their incredible health advantages.

Everyone Benefits from Citrus Fruit Nutrition

It’s a simple fact that citrus fruit benefits people of all ages. Basically, if you eat, there’s a benefit from citrus fruit. In particular, citrus fruit is beneficial to the very old and the very young. The elderly can benefit from oranges and grapefruit’s rich stockpiles of calcium and other important minerals to help them stay active and pain-free. Additionally, the Vitamin C and Vitamin A found in the fruits’ juices help boost the immune system. Bones grow brittle as the body ages, so the calcium can protect older men and women from serious injury caused by falls and other accidents.

The benefits to children are much the same. Children, especially infants, need Vitamin C and calcium to help better build their rapidly growing bodies. Children are especially susceptible to sickness during the cold winter months. Keeping them well-fortified with citrus fruit, such as sweet and juicy Honeybells, and their healthy properties keeps their immune systems in top running order.

Benefits to Grownups

But teens and adults also benefit from the nutritional value of fresh citrus fruit. Additionally, fresh fruit citrus gift baskets are perfect gifts for any occasion. Especially for those seeking to improve their physical fitness or to lose weight, the gift of fresh citrus fruit makes a welcome and rewarding surprise.

Help Avoid Unhealthy Lifestyles

When you give the gift of fresh citrus fruit baskets or other arrangements, you help your recipient avoid the unhealthy choices of candy, snack foods, and other “indulgences” that can inhibit a healthy lifestyle. But when ordering from Hale Groves’ huge selection, please remember to include ample delivery time. Some orders, such as the Honeybell tangelo, are also available only at certain times of the year. Fresh citrus fruit gift baskets make the perfect gift for everyone, all the time!

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One of the reasons why navel oranges are the perfect gift is that everyone can enjoy oranges. Kids and adults both love the naturally sweet and delicious taste of Florida fruit. People who are on special diets may not be able to eat chocolate or cake but everyone can enjoy naturally sweet Florida citrus fruit. There are also plenty of gifts to choose from in a wide range of prices. So no matter what your budget it you won’t have any trouble finding a fruit basket or gift that you can afford.  If you have a large family or a lot of friends that you need to send gifts to throughout the year buying fruit gifts is an affordable way to give great gifts. You can also schedule the delivery of your fruit gifts so that they arrive when you want them to.

Navel oranges make great gifts for any occasion because they are healthy and naturally delicious. Send your loved ones a basket of navel oranges for a fun no-occasion present, a get well soon present or a birthday present. In the wintertime fruit baskets full of cheerful citrus fruit are sure to brighten someone’s day and give them the nutrition they need to fight off winter colds and flu. When you need to give a gift and you have no idea what to send you should send fruit baskets full of navel oranges. Great gift givers know that navel oranges are the best gift for any occasion and shopping for fruit baskets is easy to do.

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Fruit baskets and fruit assortment gifts are more popular now than ever.  A lot of families are still recovering from the recession and are struggling financially. When people need to cut back on expenses one of the first things they cut from their grocery budget is fresh fruit. Yet fresh fruit is essential to good health. So sending your loved ones baskets and boxes full of grapefruit, oranges, and other citrus fruits is a wonderful way to give them what they need to stay healthy. Families with children will really appreciate the gift of navel oranges, which are great for kids. Because navel oranges are small and easy to peel they are fantastic for kids of all ages. The sweet juicy oranges are also a great healthy substitute for candy bars and other unhealthy sweets. Elderly friends and relatives who may be skimping on fresh groceries to save money will also really appreciate receiving birthday or anniversary gifts of navel oranges.

Another reason why navel oranges are the best gift for your loves ones is that they are so easy to order. No matter what your budget is you can find a beautiful fruit basket or fruit assortment featuring navel oranges that is affordable. You can order fruit baskets online easily in just a few minutes. Choose the date that you want your gift shipped and your shopping is all done. It’s that easy to send fruit gifts. The fruit will be packed immediately after being picked and shipped fast. When the fruit arrives at your loved one’s door it will be juicy, sweet, and at the peak of freshness. Surprise someone you love today with a basket of navel oranges or a fruit basket filled with the best Florida citrus fruit.

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Tangerines are smaller than oranges, have a deeper orange skin, and the flesh inside is very juicy, usually with a mild, sweet taste.  Most varieties of tangerines have few or no seeds.  In the United States, the best time to eat tangerines is November through January, although when juiced at the right time, tangerine juice holds up to freezing very well.  Otherwise, they should stay in the refrigerator no longer than seven days to maintain their great taste and nutritional value.  The best tangerine to buy will be soft and puffy with a loose-fitting skin and feel heavy for its size.  It should also be glossy and pebbly-skinned, but don’t worry if there are small green patches near the stem.

To get the most of its nutritional value, the best way to eat a tangerine is to peel it raw and eat its luscious juicy wedges right off the skin.  Fresh tangerine wedges are also important ingredients to many healthful, nutritious recipes for meals and snacks at any time of day or night.  The tangerine peel is also used not only as a decorative garnish or grating, but when dried and cured properly can also be eaten as a glaze or preserve, like marmalade or jelly.  Many great recipes like tangerine peel beef or chicken or radish soup with dried tangerine peel can found with an easy online search.

Tangerine oil is extracted by a process of cold-pressing tangerine peel.  The use of the tangerine oil for medicinal applications came from China and is now used the world over for natural healing of all sorts of conditions, both internal and external.  It is perhaps most popular in the United States for aromatherapy benefits in cream, bath lotion or vapor form as the fragrance of tangerine oil has been shown to help soothe the nervous system and reduce tension and stress at the same time it boosts the digestive system.

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The Navel Orange is one of the most popular, unique and versatile of the oranges.  The navel orange can be cut open and eaten right off the peel, squeezed and drunk as a juice, a favorite addition to fruit salads, or even turned into preserves or jams, such as the ever popular orange marmalade.  Orange oil from navel oranges is a byproduct of the orange peel which is used to flavor food and drink as well as for fragrance in perfumes and aromatherapy.  Gardeners often use orange peels as a slug repellent.  Orange blossoms can be dried and then used to make a delicious, aromatic tea.

Fresh navel oranges are available from winter through late spring, depending on your region of the country.  When you go to the market, the kind of navel orange you should look for is one that feels heavy for its size and has no soft spots, outward pitting or mold.

Navel oranges are seedless, and the flesh inside is naturally very sweet and juicy.  From the outside, the blossom end looks like a human navel.  When a naval orange is peeled, there is a partially formed, undeveloped conjoined “twin” fruit on the blossom end on the inside.

Although navel oranges originally came from Brazil, today they are grown primarily in Florida, Arizona and California, and the navel orange cultivation industry is very important in the United States.

In addition to their sweet, refreshing taste, navel oranges are also well known and considered very important for their health benefits, especially the antioxidant vitamin C, their main nutritional ingredient.  Every morning millions of people drink orange juice from navel oranges as a source of vitamin C.

The human body does not naturally produce vitamin C on its own.  Vitamin C not only helps boost the human immune system, but it also prevents heart disease, aids in healing wounds, and helps the body absorb iron.  One of the best ways to get the right amount of vitamin C is to drink a fresh squeezed juice from a navel orange or to eat it right off the peel.

There are other health advantages to consuming navel oranges as well.  The fiber content in navel oranges can help improve cholesterol ratios in the body.  Beta-carotene is an antioxidant found in navel oranges which helps prevent cell damage.  Other nutrients in navel oranges are also known to help to prevent other types of cancer as well, including stomach and esophagus cancer.

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