"Chiefs" and "deputy", experts say, there are no citrus fruits. Each fruit is useful in its own way, so you can not compare them. And we will not. Smachno. Ua collected five of the most popular citruses in our country and learned what each of them can boast of.

Lemon perfectly helps the sore throat. This, perhaps, is one of the most useful of its properties. The first thing we do, getting sick with tonsillitis, is throwing into the body a horse dose of lemon. And right! In this fruit, a huge amount of citric acid is stored (more than in any other citrus), which removes inflammation, and therefore we quickly go on the mend.

Thanks to vitamin C, the lemon also promotes faster recovery in tuberculosis, rheumatism, helps with gum bleeding and periodontitis.

In addition, the lemon is rich in vitamins B, P, carotene (vitamin A), potassium.

Carotene, contained in lemon, replenishes the lack of vitamin A in the body.

Vitamin R, which in a lemon is very much, strengthens the walls of blood vessels, lowers the pressure, thereby protecting from strokes and heart attacks.

B vitamins help cope with insomnia.

Potassium, which in the lemon is about 50%, nourishes the brain and nerve cells.

And the lemon peel contains pectins that help get rid of harmful microorganisms and protect against cancer.

Orange, like lemon, is rich in vitamin C, as well as B vitamins and carotene, contains potassium, magnesium, phosphorus, calcium and fiber.

First of all oranges, because of the large amount of vitamins in them, will be very helpful for the prevention and treatment of hypovitaminosis (vitamin deficiency).

Potassium, ascorbic acid and other vitamins contained in these citrus fruits are useful in hypertension (lowering blood pressure), atherosclerosis, obesity, liver disease, gout.

Oranges contain a lot of fiber (it in these citruses is 2 times more than in mandarins), which promotes good digestion. Therefore, they are advised to eat people who suffer from constipation. In addition, the fiber creates a sense of saturation and thus prevents overeating.

Oranges are a good antioxidant. They contain bioflavonoids (strong antioxidants) that neutralize harmful free radicals. Thanks to the citrus organism gets rid of metabolic products and toxins. Thus, oranges prevent aging and many diseases.

American scientists recommend that those who want to stop smoking, eat oranges - fruits make up the lack of vitamin C (which is very quickly destroyed in the body of a smoker).

Well, the mood of oranges is not only raised by its appearance. Essential oil of oranges helps to cope with depression and restore strength.

The content of vitamins and minerals mandarin is not much different from its citrus "relatives" - lemon and orange. In the mandarin, too, there is potassium, magnesium, calcium, vitamins C, B, P, as well as vitamins D and K.

Mandarins, as well as oranges, should be eaten by those who smoke - they clean the lungs of smokers from mucus. It is for this reason that the juice of mandarins will be useful in asthma and bronchitis.

These fruits improve metabolism and promote the digestive process.

From other citrus fruits tangerines are characterized by a high content of beta-carotene, which prevents the formation of cancer cells.

Grapefruit The bitter taste of this citrus is attached to the naringin. This flavonoid improves the elasticity of the vessels, thereby preventing cardiovascular diseases, and also speeds up the digestive processes.

In addition, naringin, as established by American scientists, slows the spread of the hepatitis C virus in the body.

Most of all useful substances - in a bitter film around the lobules. Therefore, do not get rid of it whenever you clean the fruit.

Grapefruit, like other citrus fruits, contains vitamins C, PP, D, bioflavonoids (antioxidants).

It lowers cholesterol, lowers blood pressure, has antibacterial and antifungal action.

Lime, as well as other representatives of the citrus family, contains vitamins of group B, potassium, calcium, phosphorus. In lime, there is practically no fat, salt, few calories and a lot of fiber.

Vitamin C in lime, in comparison with other citrus, contains a lethal dose. This vitamin, in addition to the already mentioned properties, also normalizes the level of cholesterol in the blood, slows down the aging process, and also promotes the formation of collagen necessary for elastic and supple skin.

In addition, lime is very useful for beriberi, hypertensive disease, kidney disease.

This fruit is better than other citrus helps to overcome depression and irritability - it very well calms the nervous system and improves overall well-being.

A word to the expert.

Natalia MIKHNEVA,.

Doctor-gastroenterologist, nutritionist,.

"Healthy Nutrition Center".

Ukrainian Research Institute of Nutrition:.

"Citrus fruits are certainly very useful. But this does not mean that they should be eaten by kilograms. These fruits can cause an allergic reaction, so they should not get too carried away.

Especially attentive should be, giving citrus to children: overeating can cause diathesis or urticaria. Be careful with citrus and during pregnancy.

In no case can not eat citrus on an empty stomach: the increased acidity of these fruits traumatizes the gastric mucosa.

Especially cautious with these fruits should be people who have any allergies, gastroenterological pathologies (peptic ulcer, gastritis with high acidity).

But even those people who do not have the above contraindications, you need to know the extent of. So, a day you can eat no more than 2 oranges. Mandarin can afford 2-3 pieces. Grapefruit will be enough and halves a day. As for lemon and lime, the daily norm is 1-2 slices of ".

Health. Sumy. Ua.