Citrus Fruit and What It Does for You

We all know citrus has vitamin C, but do we know all the good news about citrus? Most of the research is just beginning but we already know that citrus helps prevent a slew of disease. A 2006 Italian research study showed that besides eating vegetables, which are also know as preventives, citrus cuts some disease risks by 62 percent,

Including mouth cancer which is one of the most common cancers. Other studies show citrus fruits and juice cuts the risk of stroke and lowers the risk of gall stones. Pectin found in the white layer of citrus fruit also lowers cholesterol and may aid in weight control. Another bonus for woman is citrus increases the absorption of iron.

Citrus fruits contain many health benefits including folate, potassium, beta-carotene, and hundreds of phytochemicals which have been shown to have anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor and blood clotting properties. One of the best things we can do for our families is seeing that they get citrus in their diet every day.

Grate off the zest to flavor many recipes. It is packed with oil glands which will richly flavor anything you cook

Also the peel contains more vitamin C and disease fighting phytochemicals than the juice and pulp. A sprinkle of zest or squeeze of citrus juice can make the difference in a plain dish or a fancy one.

Here are some tips on how to use the (zest) or grated peel.

1. Stir any citrus zest into rice.
2. Sprinkle lime peel over ice cream.
3. Mix into cookie or cake mix.
4. Sprinkle any zest on fish or lamb.
5. Mix any zest or juice into your basting liquid.
6. Mix any zest or juice in marinates.
7. Try a little zest or juice in your vegetables.
8. Add some zest to your jar of mayonnaise.
9. Add zest to butter to spice it up.
10. Combine zest and juice with marmalade and stir in a fruit salad.

A lemon will give more juice if you warm it in the micro oven for about 30 seconds, then soften by rolling.

Citrus Juice

1. Squeeze juice into a cola, tonic, ginger ale, to enliven flavor.
2. Squirt over shell fish or chicken before eating.
3. Drizzle juice over fries instead of vinegar.
4. Spoon lime juice on an avocado and sprinkle with salt for a quick snack.
5. Stir citrus into canned beans or lentils to give them a little zip.

Equivalents

1. One lemon =2 tlb.and 1 tsp.
2. One Lime=2 tlb.juice and 1 tsp.peel
3. One orange=1/3 to 1/2 cups juice and 2 tlb. peel