The term "orange" refers to the fruit of many citrus species in the family Rutaceae; it most often refers to Citrus sinensis, commonly known as the "sweet orange," to distinguish it from the closely related Citrus aurantium, often known as the "bitter orange." Sweet oranges reproduce asexually (apomixis through nucellar embryony); different types develop as a result of mutations.
whole, halved, and segmented oranges with skin on
The orange is a cross between a mandarin and a pomelo (Citrus maxima) (Citrus reticulata).
The maternal line is that of the pomelo, according to the chloroplast genome.
The entire genome of the sweet orange has been sequenced.
The orange was first grown in a region that included Southern China, the Northeast
History
Oranges are thought to be native to tropical Asia, particularly the Malay Archipelago; they have been grown for a very long time together with other citrus species.
From its original location, orange culture most likely travelled to India, the east coast of Africa, and then the eastern Mediterranean.
Its dispersion was greatly aided by Roman conquests, the growth of Arab trade lines, and the spread of Islam.
The Canary Islands had an abundance of orange trees at the time Christopher Columbus set sail.
Oranges are now grown in Australia, South Africa, northern and eastern Mediterranean nations, subtropical and tropical America, and Australia.Subscribe to Britannica Premium to have access to special content.The orange was primarily thought of as a dessert fruit before 1920.
Benefits\sNutrition\sDiet\sRisks
Oranges are a type of citrus fruit that is low in calories and rich in nutrients. Oranges support strong, clear skin and can help reduce a person's risk of numerous ailments when included in a healthy and diverse diet.
Oranges are well-liked because of their inherent sweetness, wide variety of kinds, and numerous applications. They can be eaten whole, added to juices and marmalades, or the zested peel can be used to give pastries and desserts a tart flavour.
This well-liked citrus fruit is renowned for having a high vitamin C content. Oranges do, however, contain a variety of other plant substances and antioxidants that can lessen inflammation and fight disease.
In this essay, we examine the numerous health advantages.
cardiac health
Oranges are a good source of potassium and fibre, both of which are good for the heart.
A 2017 reviewTrusted Source of earlier meta-analyses found that increasing fibre intake considerably lowers the risk of developing and dying from heart disease. This effect is related to its capacity to reduce blood cholesterol levels, according to the review.
One cup of orange juice can satisfy 14% of a person's daily potassium needs, according to a reliable source.
According to the ODS, those who consume more potassium may be at a lower risk of stroke and other cardiovascular illnesses. They primarily blame the effects of potassium on blood pressure for this.