BENEFITS OF SOME EXOTIC FRUITS: BITTER ORANGE (Citrus aurantium)

Continuing with the review of the health benefits of some fruits from Ibelia's Ranch, today I wanted to inform you about the bitter orange. As its name indicates this fruit is very similar to the normal orange, but its flavor is bitter. The common use of this citrus is as a seasoning for meat and chicken similar to viniger, but it also has marvelous characteristics as a sedative, a calming for nausea and fever.

Composition

Its hull has flavonoids and limonene oil, both components give to the fruit medical uses. The flavonoids are known for being antioxidant components, while the limonene oil can be use in relaxing aromatherapy.

Its leaves and flowers are antispasmodic, tonic and vasoactive, so they are indicated for the treatment of nerves, gastrointestinal problems and insomnia.

The nutritional values per 100 g of fruit are showed as follows:

Energy (kcal)	36,00
Protein (g)	0,50
Total fat (g)	0,50
Cholesterol (mg)	-
Carbohydrates (g)	11,00
Fiber (g)	0.10
Calcium (mg)	16,00
Iron (mg)	0.70
Iodo (µg)	-
Vitamin A (mg)	6.67
Vitamin C (mg)	52,00

If we compare the vitamin content with the values for a normal orange, we can see that the vitamin C content is very similar but the vitamin A values are higher (a normal orange has only 0,0675 mg). Also the bitter orange presents lower sugar and calcium content.

Finally, it is important to note that the use of different ingredients in food not only allows you to experiment with innovative flavors, but also it supports agricultural biodiversity and prevents the extinction of these species.


Bibliography:

Isnaya (2016) Naranja Agria. Obtained from http://isnaya.org.ni/FCNMPT/laboratorio/naranja-agria.php (July, 2016)

FUNINBER (2016) Composición nutricional Naranja agria. Obtained from http://www.composicionnutricional.com/alimentos/NARANJA-AGRIA-5 (September, 2016)

Umesh Rudrappa (2016) Orange fruit nutrition facts. Obteined from http://www.nutrition-and-you.com/orange-fruit.html (September, 2016)