citrus | Health Topics | NutritionFacts.org

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Topic summary contributed by volunteer(s): Paul

Citrus, particularly lemons, may suppress the growth of cancer cells, and may help to improve the survival rates of some types of cancer. The bioflavonoids in citrus may help reduce muscle fatigue after strenuous exercise, treat dry eye disease, and may increase blood flow enough to warm the hands and feet of those with cold sensitivity. Specifically, the citrus phytonutrient, auraptene, may be effective at reducing the damage caused by industrial pollutants. Orange concentrates are a more concentrated source of potassium than bananas, and the smell of sweet orange essential oil may have anxiety-reducing properties. Citrus in conjunction with iron rich foods and the reduction of tea and coffee may be a better choice for treating iron deficiency anemia than supplements. Citrus and other antioxidants can also be effective in reducing inflammation levels.

On the other hand, those eating more sour fruit may risk greater erosion of tooth enamel (especially if teeth are brushed in a softened state). Sour fruits can enhance the absorption of iron, manganese, and aluminum. Grapefruit may increase the risk of side effects with certain drugs. Also, the belief that grapefruit has some special fat-burning quality appears to be a myth.

The information on this page has been compiled from the research presented in the videos listed. Sources for each video can be found by going to the video’s page and clicking on the Sources Cited tab.

Image Credit: Flickr. This image has been modified.

All Videos for Citrus

Woman holding upper shoulder as if in pain

The Best Diet for Fibromyalgia and Other Chronic Pain Relief

Anti-inflammatory diets can be effective in alleviating chronic pain syndromes.

What to Eat for Stroke Prevention

What to Eat for Stroke Prevention

More than 90% of stroke risk is attributable to modifiable risk factors.

Talcum Powder and Fibroids

Talcum Powder and Fibroids

What role does diet and baby powder play in the development of fibroids and ovarian cancer?

Oil Pulling for Teeth Whitening and Bad Breath Tested

Oil Pulling for Teeth Whitening and Bad Breath Tested

When oil pulling was put to the test for teeth whitening, halitosis, and dental enamel erosion, the results were no better than rinsing with water—or even worse.

Lycopene Supplements vs. Prostate Cancer

Lycopene Supplements vs. Prostate Cancer

High doses of lycopene—the red pigment in tomatoes—were put to the test to see if it could prevent precancerous prostate lesions from turning into full-blown cancer.

Is Nutritional Yeast Healthy for Everyone?

Is Nutritional Yeast Healthy for Everyone?

Those with certain autoimmune diseases such as Crohn’s disease should probably not eat nutritional yeast.

Can Vitamin C Help with Lead Poisoning?

Can Vitamin C Help with Lead Poisoning?

Those who have higher vitamin C levels tend to have less lead in their bloodstream, but what happens when people are given vitamin C supplements to put it to the test?

Club Soda for Stomach Pain and Constipation

Club Soda for Stomach Pain and Constipation

Is carbonated water good or bad for heartburn, dyspepsia, and bowel regularity?

Is Canned Fruit as Healthy?

Is Canned Fruit as Healthy?

Perhaps dietary guidelines should stress fresh, frozen, and dried fruit—rather than canned.

Citrus Peels and Cancer Zest for Life?

Citrus Peels and Cancer: Zest for Life?

The reason eating citrus fruits appears to protect against cancer may be because of DNA repair enzyme-boosting powers of a compound concentrated in the peel.

Caution: Anti-inflammatory Foods in the Third Trimester

Caution: Anti-Inflammatory Foods in the Third Trimester

For the same reason that anti-inflammatory drugs like aspirin and ibuprofen are advised against during late pregnancy, anti-inflammatory foods may increase the risk of premature closure of the ductus arteriosus.

Treating Dry Eye Disease with Diet: Just Add Water?

Treating Dry Eye Disease with Diet: Just Add Water?

Causes of dry eye disease include LASIK laser eye surgery, but there are dietary approaches to prevention and treatment.

assorted produce

Does Fiber Really Prevent Diverticulosis?

The parable of the tiny parachute explains the study that found no relationship between dietary fiber intake and diverticulosis.

man in blue shirt with hand on chest

Diet and GERD Acid Reflux Heartburn

Which foods should we eat and avoid to prevent and treat acid reflux before it can place us at risk for Barrett’s esophagus and cancer?

How Much Hibiscus Tea is Too Much?

How Much Hibiscus Tea Is Too Much?

The impressive manganese content of hibiscus tea may be the limiting factor for safe daily levels of consumption.

Protecting Teeth From Hibiscus Tea

Protecting Teeth from Hibiscus Tea

How can we protect our tooth enamel from the erosive natural acids found in sour foods and beverages?

Treating Asthma With Plants vs. Supplements?

Treating Asthma with Plants vs. Supplements?

Whole fruits and vegetables were compared to both antioxidant pills, as well as supplements containing fruits and vegetable extracts, for their ability to treat seasonal allergies, improve lung function, and control asthma.

Orange Aromatherapy for Anxiety

Orange Aromatherapy for Anxiety

The smell of sweet orange essential oil may have anxiety-reducing properties without the potentially addictive, sedating, and adverse effects of Valium-type benzodiazepine drugs.

Turmeric Curcumin and Osteoarthritis

Turmeric Curcumin and Osteoarthritis

The yellow pigment curcumin in the spice turmeric may work as well as, or better than, anti-inflammatory drugs and painkillers for the treatment of knee osteoarthritis.

Tell Your Doctor If You Eat Grapefruit

Tell Your Doctor if You Eat Grapefruit

The role white and pink (red) grapefruit may play in weight loss and cholesterol control, as well as the suppression of drug-clearance enzymes within the body.

Reducing Muscle Soreness with Berries

Anti-inflammatory phytonutrients in berries may explain why cherries can speed recovery after a marathon—by reducing muscle pain in long-distance runners.

Reducing Muscle Fatigue with Citrus

Daily citrus fruit consumption during athletic training may reduce muscle fatigue, as evidenced by lower blood lactate concentrations.

hand reaching for an orange on a tree

Keeping Your Hands Warm with Citrus

Phytonutrients in citrus, such as hesperidin, may increase blood flow sufficient to warm the hands and feet of those with cold sensitivity.

Anti-Angiogenesis: Cutting Off Tumor Supply Lines

Cancer cells are commonly present in the body, but cannot grow into tumors without hooking up a blood supply. Angiogenesis inhibitors in plant foods may help prevent this from happening.

Mediating Radiation Exposure from Airline Travel

Based on studies of atomic bomb survivors, Chernobyl victims, and airline pilots exposed to more cosmic rays at high altitudes, it appears that fruits and vegetables may decrease radiation-induced chromosome damage.

Which Fruit Fights Cancer Better?

The ability of eleven common fruits to suppress cancer cell growth in vitro was compared. Which was most effective—apples, bananas, cranberries, grapefruits, grapes, lemons, oranges, peaches, pears, pineapples, or strawberries?

Plant-Based Diets: Dental Health

Those eating more sour fruit may risk greater erosion of their tooth enamel (especially if teeth are brushed in a softened state), but there’s a simple solution.

Cancer, Interrupted: Garlic & Flavonoids

Garlic and flavonoid phytonutrients found in fruits, vegetables, nuts, and grains appear to protect against DNA damage induced by mutagenic chemicals found in cooked meat.

Preventing Breast Cancer by Any Greens Necessary

Which was associated with lowest breast cancer risk in African-American women? Apples, bananas, broccoli, cabbage, cantaloupe, carrots, collard greens, grapefruit, oranges, spinach, tomatoes, or sweet potatoes?

Preventing Strokes with Diet

Increasing the intake of potassium-rich foods is associated with a significantly lower stroke risk.

Plants vs. Pesticides

Plants vs. Pesticides

Phytonutrients found in certain foods may protect against the toxic effects of industrial pollutants such as dioxin and DDT, suggesting a dual role for plant-based diets to reduce both exposure and subsequent damage.

risk associated with iron supplements

Risk Associated with Iron Supplements

Iron is a double-edged sword. If we don’t absorb enough, we risk anemia; but if absorb too much, we may increase our risk of cancer, heart disease, and a number of inflammatory conditions. Because the human body has no mechanism to rid itself of excess iron, one should choose plant-based (non-heme) sources, over which our body has some control.

Raw Broccoli and Bladder Cancer Survival

Raw Broccoli & Bladder Cancer Survival

The effect of raw and cooked broccoli consumption on survival rates of bladder cancer patients.

various sliced produce

Anti-Inflammatory Antioxidants

Even when choosing the same quantity of fruits and vegetables, those making higher antioxidant choices experienced a reduction in C-reactive protein (inflammation) levels.

Throw household products off the scent

Throw Household Products off the Scent

Volatile chemicals in consumer products such as air fresheners, laundry detergents, fabric softeners, and dryer sheets may be hazardous.

Calcium absorption- soy milk versus cow milk

Calcium Absorption: Soy Milk Versus Cow Milk

Soy milk should be shaken before pouring to get at the calcium that settles to the bottom.

Antioxidant content of 3,139 foods

Antioxidant Content of 3,139 Foods

In the most extensive study of its kind ever published, the amount of anti-aging anticancer antioxidants is measured across thousands of different foods.

Boosting Heart Nerve Control

Which food was found to improve heart rate variability?

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