Maintaining a healthy diet is a great way to stay healthy and fit. Many of us are often told that we should have a healthy balance of whole grains, fruits, and vegetables throughout our meals, and obviously, saying no to sweets as much as possible. But even though the food may be healthy, more may not always be the way to go, according to The Healthy. 

Oranges and most other citrus fruit are nature’s way of filling our bodies with vitamin C, but since most of us have been on some sort of lockdown over the past year, many of us have tossed our healthy mindsets out the window — especially when it comes to eating healthy. If you’re looking to get back on track after relying on comfort foods, it’s also worth knowing what type of harm can you be doing to your body by ingesting too much of a good thing.

Are oranges harmful to eat?

The Healthy reports that grapefruits and some other citrus fruits can be harmful to some people but are relatively healthy for most who decide to snack on them. Some citrus fruits can also interfere with medications, so if you are taking a prescription, check with your doctor to see if the two can mix. Live Science came to a similar conclusion, writing that oranges should be enjoyed in moderation, telling their readers that there could be some unwanted side effects if they eat too many. 

Oranges naturally have a large amount of fiber, and if eaten in large quantities, it can affect a person’s digestive system. Translation: Make sure there is a toilet near by, as some of the more dreadful side effects can be cramping and diarrhea. Citrus fruits are generally go-tos for dieters since they are low in calories, but Live Science encourages its readers not to eat several a day. The Mayo Clinic even revealed that it is possible to have too much vitamin C throughout your day. Citrus fruits are also high in acidity, which could lead to heartburn. But if you have a clean bill of health, an orange or tangerine a day won’t kill you.

There are still benefits of citrus fruits

Citrus fruits — including lemons, limes, oranges, and grapefruit — are outstanding sources of antioxidants, vitamins, and nutrients (via Prevention). So when anything from muscle cramps to bloating hits, grab a clementine! A study from the British Journal of Nutrition revealed that your brain could also benefit from the tart fruits. The sunshine fruit may be able to help reduce the risk of neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s.

Aside from helping you lose weight, Prevention also divulged that the fruits could help you fight against certain kinds of cancer. Lastly, one of the most important aspects of the citrus fruit family is its ability to boost your immune system. During the winter, where flu season is in full swing and now a pandemic, it can never hurt to help protect your body from any germs or viruses trying to bring you down. So while you should be aware of the fall out of eating or drinking too much fruit, it is still a better option than reaching for a candy bar.

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