23. Citrus Fruits
Citrus fruits such as oranges, lemons, tangerines, limes and grapefruits are rich in immune boosting vitamin C, which is responsible for their immune boosting properties (which is why many people turn to them to help combat colds and flu). They’re also filled with antioxidants called flavonoids that help to protect the heart and blood vessels.
The vitamin C content not only helps to prevent colds, but it helps to make the symptoms of a cold less severe and last a shorter amount of time. Citrus fruits are also high in potassium and make for an easy, delicious, and portable snack at any time of the day.
What’s more, citrus fruits contain high levels of soluble fibre which can help to lower cholesterol levels while also being lower in natural fruit sugar so they can also help to regulate blood glucose levels.
The higher fibre content of juicy citrus fruits also means they have a lower glycaemic index so that what sugars they do contain, are slowly broken down so that they don’t flood the blood with sugar giving us an instant sugar high. This means that we don’t then experience a sugar crash that could make us reach for more sugar, probably in the form of a chocolate bar, in order to reach the high again.
