How many oranges are considered moderate to eat every day?
2025-12-08
Recently, oranges have been on the market in a concentrated manner, and the sweet, sour, and juicy oranges make people unable to resist eating one after another. But there are also many questions that come with it: some people are worried that eating too much will "cause internal heat", some are worried that their skin will turn yellow after eating oranges, and some have heard that "eating orange juice can reduce internal heat" or "soaking orange peel in water can clear internal heat", so they deliberately peel off the orange juice or soak it in water. Do these claims have any scientific basis? From the perspective of modern medicine, there is no concept of 'excessive internal heat'. Many people experience symptoms such as dry mouth, sore throat, swollen gums, and constipation after eating too many oranges, often due to three reasons: firstly, the sour and sweet taste of oranges can cause dry mouth and tongue; Secondly, the organic acids in oranges stimulate the gums and gastric mucosa; Thirdly, oranges are rich in dietary fiber, and eating too much can actually lead to constipation. The combination of various symptoms makes people feel like they are "getting angry". The real cause of these 'fire' symptoms is' eating too much and not drinking enough water '. The solution is also very simple: drinking more warm water while eating oranges can alleviate dry mouth and help metabolize sugar. If you are prone to dry mouth and constipation, then don't eat too much. The sugar content of oranges is around 10 grams per 100 grams, which is not considered high; The glycemic index (GI value) is about 40-45, which belongs to low GI food and is friendly to diabetes patients. According to the Chinese Dietary Guidelines for Residents, the recommended daily intake of fruits for adults is 200-350 grams, and combined with the sugar content of oranges, the appropriate amount of oranges to eat per day is 200-300 grams. According to different types of oranges, there are approximately 8 small ones and 5 medium ones; One or two large oranges such as wogan and chouju are already considered "moderate". Can you eat both orange juice and orange peel? Is there any basis for the popular statements such as "Orange collaterals reduce fire" and "Orange peel soaked in water has a heat clearing effect"? Orange bark and orange skin should be viewed separately. Juluo is a white mesh and filamentous substance on the flesh of an orange. From the perspective of traditional Chinese medicine theory, orange collaterals have a flat nature, a sweet and bitter taste, and are associated with the lung and spleen meridians. They have the effects of "unblocking meridians, resolving phlegm, promoting qi circulation, and activating blood circulation". For discomfort such as sore throat and excessive phlegm that may occur after eating oranges, eating some orange juice in moderation can help alleviate it. From the perspective of modern nutrition, the main component of Citrus reticulata is dietary fiber, which helps promote intestinal peristalsis and delay sugar absorption. However, the content of effective ingredients in orange juice is limited, and it is not realistic to rely solely on eating it to "reduce fire" or "relieve constipation". So, there is no need to specifically peel off the orange peel and eat it alone, let alone eat more oranges just to eat the orange peel. When eating oranges in daily life, it is most suitable to eat them together with meat and skin without deliberately removing the orange skin, which not only does not affect the taste, but also can play its role. As for "orange peel soaked in water", it is a confusion between "orange peel" and "tangerine peel". Some people think that dried orange peel is tangerine peel. In fact, fresh orange peel and tangerine peel are completely different. Soaking fresh orange peel in water directly is not only unhealthy, but may also harm the body. This is because fresh orange peel has a high content of volatile oil, which not only has a bitter taste, but also stimulates the respiratory tract, especially for people with pharyngitis and asthma. Drinking it can easily worsen discomfort. In addition, if the orange peel is not cleaned thoroughly and soaked in water before drinking, there is also a risk of food poisoning. The tangerine peel used for brewing tea and soup is a product of fresh orange peel that has undergone multiple processes such as drying and aging, and often needs to be stored for more than one year. At this point, the harmful substances in the orange peel have evaporated, and the active ingredients are relatively stable before they can be used for brewing tea and soup. Becoming a "little yellow person" is not scary. Some people have even noticed that their skin turns yellow after eating too many oranges. Is it because they are sick? Don't worry, this is a normal phenomenon after eating too many oranges, medically known as "carotenoids syndrome", mainly related to the beta carotene in oranges. Oranges such as honey oranges and sugar oranges are rich in beta carotene, which can be converted into vitamin A when consumed in moderation, promoting visual health. But if you eat too much in a short period of time, your body cannot metabolize it in a timely manner, and excessive beta carotene will circulate to the skin throughout your body with the blood, causing yellowing of your palms, feet, cheeks, and other parts, making you look like a "little yellow person". In fact, not only will eating too many oranges turn you into a "little yellow person", but eating too many carrots will also do the same. But as long as you stop or reduce eating fruits and vegetables rich in beta carotene such as oranges and carrots, it's enough. Within one or two weeks, the skin color will gradually return to normal without the need for special treatment. But it is important to distinguish between "Minions" caused by jaundice and "Minions" caused by carotenoids. Jaundice is a sign of jaundice in the skin, sclera, mucosa, and other areas caused by elevated serum bilirubin levels. Essentially, it is a metabolic disorder of bilirubin and requires prompt medical attention to determine the cause. Carotenosis is different from jaundice: the former only causes yellowing of the skin, without yellowing of the white eye (sclera), and without discomfort such as nausea or fatigue. In short, from the perspective of avoiding excessive intake of sugar and dietary fiber, it is still recommended to eat oranges in moderation. (New Society)
Edit:Wang Shu Ying Responsible editor:Li Jie
Source:Liberation Daily
Special statement: if the pictures and texts reproduced or quoted on this site infringe your legitimate rights and interests, please contact this site, and this site will correct and delete them in time. For copyright issues and website cooperation, please contact through outlook new era email:lwxsd@liaowanghn.com