The facts and benefits of citrus fruit

The benefits of citrus are so numerous they deserve to take a starring role in your diet.  Here are just some of the healthy side effects that eating citrus can provide.

Research shows that compounds in citrus fruits can help prevent cancerous changes from occurring in colon cells, and pink and red grapefruits contain lycopene, which studies show may help reduce the risk of developing breast and prostate cancer.

Citrus fruits have an amazing ability to help steady your blood sugar. First, they're packed with pectin, a type of soluble fibre that helps keep blood sugar — and cholesterol — low. Pectin, like most types of fibre, also leaves you feeling full longer. Out of the 20 most-eaten fruits and vegetables, oranges and grapefruit come out on top in soluble fibre.

Citrus fruits are naturally low in calories (80 for an orange, 41 for half a grapefruit and 45 for a tangerine).

Citrus fruits are most renowned for their vitamin C, an antioxidant that can help fight heart disease and complications of diabetes, such as nerve damage and damage to the retina of the eye. You'll get more than a whole day's vitamin C requirement in a single orange; half a grapefruit will give you 78 percent.

Citrus fruits fight cancer, cholesterol, blood sugar and are low in calories and these are just some of the benefits the tasty fruits provide.