Orange fruits & veggies are usually colored by natural plant pigments called “carotenoids.” Beta-carotene in sweet potatoes, pumpkins, and carrots is coverted to vitamin A, which helps maintain healthy mucous membranes & healthy vision. Scientists have reported that carotenoid-rich foods can help reduce risk of cancer, heart diease, and can improve immune system function. One study found that people who ate a diet in carotenoid-rich veggies were 43% less likely to develop age-related macular degeneration, an eye disorder that is common in elderly patients, that can lead to blindness.
Carotenoids also may be good for your heart. One study found that men with high cholesterol who ate plenty of veggies high in carotenoids had a whopping 36% lower chance of a heart attack & death than their peers who didn’t eat vegetables.
Citrus fruits like oranges are not a good source of vitamin A. They are an excellent source of vitamin C and folate, a B vitamin that helps reduce risk of birth defects. Orange foods are high in beta-carotene, which supports the immune system and aids in the prevention of cancer, heart disease, and infections.
Some of our favorite recipes with orange ingredients: