According to Dr. Nguyen Van Hai from the Institute of Traditional Military Medicine, sour oranges have a sour taste, a cool nature, and affect three important meridians in the body: the spleen, stomach, and liver. Sour oranges offer a plethora of benefits, including cooling and detoxifying properties, as well as aiding in reducing phlegm, coughing, and inflammation, and promoting diuresis.
Sour oranges are typically harvested between September and November annually. When ripe, they have thin skins, are juicy, and have pinkish pulp, hence their name.
This fruit is an excellent source of vitamins A, B1, and B2, and is especially rich in vitamin C. Notably, sour oranges also contain citric acid (comprising about 8% of the weight of the dried fruit), which helps treat coughing, sore throats, and supports effective fat reduction and weight loss.
Health Benefits of Sour Oranges
Boosting the Immune System
With their abundant vitamin C content, sour oranges play a crucial role in strengthening the immune system, helping the body fight off infections. Additionally, the high level of antioxidants in sour oranges, combined with honey, efficiently supports immune function. Especially during cold winter days, enjoying a glass of sour orange juice with honey every morning will not only warm your body but also make it easier to withstand the cold weather.
Aiding Digestion
Sour oranges are rich in fiber, which helps improve digestion, prevent constipation, and reduce the risk of intestinal disorders. The vitamins found in sour oranges also encourage the liver to produce bile, thereby maintaining efficient digestive function and supporting the removal of toxins left in the stomach from previous meals.
Weight Loss
The antioxidants present in sour oranges are instrumental in burning excess fat, curbing appetite, and facilitating effective weight loss.
Skin Care
Sour oranges offer numerous benefits for the skin. Due to their vitamin C content, they not only help brighten the complexion and fade dark spots but also stimulate collagen production, resulting in firmer and more youthful skin. Consuming sour orange juice infused with honey regularly is an effective way to detoxify the body and promote collagen formation. Consequently, your skin will appear smoother, brighter, and more youthful.
Freshening Breath
Regularly consuming sour orange juice is a simple way to improve bad breath. The acid in sour oranges helps eliminate bacteria that cause halitosis, reducing coughing and phlegm, and resulting in fresher breath.
Cancer Prevention
Sour oranges are rich in antioxidants, which help protect cells and reduce the risk of various cancers.
Different Methods of Preparing and Consuming Sour Oranges
Preserved Sour Oranges
This method helps reduce the sourness and enhances the unique flavor of sour oranges. Preserved sour oranges can be used for cooking or enjoyed directly.
Sour Orange Liquor
This variation produces a fruity liquor that is not only delicious but also nutritious, offering multiple health benefits.
Dried Sour Oranges
After drying, sour oranges can be used to make tea, added as a spice, or enjoyed as a tasty snack.
Sour Orange Marmalade
Combine sour oranges with sugar and other fruits to create delicious and appealing jars of marmalade.
Sour Oranges in Cooking
Sour oranges can be used as a wonderful seasoning for dishes such as salads, seafood, grilled meat, adding a distinctive flavor to your meals.
Precautions When Using Sour Oranges
If you experience symptoms such as diarrhea or bloating, it is advisable to avoid consuming sour oranges. Oranges can stimulate the secretion of digestive juices, potentially aggravating abdominal pain and diarrhea. Additionally, excessive use of sour orange juice infused with honey to treat coughing can also harm the digestive system.
When choosing sour oranges to make honey-infused juice to treat respiratory ailments, select fresh, ripe oranges with smooth skins, and when cut open, reveal a reddish-pink pulp. Approximately 20 oranges per kilogram is a reasonable choice. Note that you should not pick overly large fruits, as the essential oil content in the peels and seeds is the most valuable component for treating respiratory illnesses.
Although sour orange juice with honey offers numerous health benefits, it may not be suitable for everyone to consume regularly. The following groups should refrain from frequent consumption of this juice:
– People with medical conditions: Individuals suffering from stomach ulcers or acid reflux should limit their intake of sour oranges.
– Pregnant women: Before consuming sour oranges, pregnant women should consult their doctors.
– Infants under one year old: The digestive system of infants under one year of age is still immature, so it is not advisable to introduce sour orange juice with honey too early.