Do Oranges Help Sore Throat?
Did you know that one in three Americans suffers from sore throats at some point in their lives? And that an estimated 42 percent of these episodes are chronic, meaning they don’t go away on their own? If this sounds like you, you might want to check your fruit intake. Oranges are rich in citric acid, a natural source of this potent anti-inflammatory compound. In fact, research shows that about 20 percent of the vitamin C in an orange is able to neutralize the acidic properties of the rest.
So even though oranges aren’t very high in vitamin C compared to grapefruit and other citrus fruits, they make up for it with their high concentration of citric acid. Citric Acid: What Is It Good For? If you’ve ever put ice cubes into your mouth right after a long day at work or sneezed into a cup with too much lemon juice, you’ve experienced citric acid.
It’s one of the five essential foods that make up natural tartar dissolvable calcium carbonate (TCAC). This naturally occurring substance forms when organic acids such as L-citrulline or malic acid react with organic bases such as sodium carbonate. When these reactions take place quickly in our mouths or nostrils, it helps reduce inflammation and fight against stomach upset from bacteria and viruses.
What is Citric Acid?
Citric acid is a natural component of fruits and vegetables. It’s a fruits acid and is believed to be one of the most potent anti-inflammatory compounds found in nature. One study even concluded that drinking an orange-citrus beverage every day for six months significantly reduced the levels of inflammatory compounds in the blood stream and muscles of the stomach.
What Does Citric Acid Do?
When an inflammation occurs, the body produces substances called enzymes that are able to break down these compounds. These enzymes are called inflammatory enzymes. The goal of a healthy diet is to reduce the levels of these enzymes as much as possible. One study even concluded that eating two oranges daily for four months significantly reduced the levels of inflammatory enzymes in the blood and muscles of the stomach.
How Does Citric Acid Help with Sore Throat?
Studies have also proven that eating an orange before a long flight or car trip reduced the intensity and duration of nausea experienced by those taking anti-emetic medications. One study found that eating two oranges in a day for two weeks before travel significantly reduced the number of sick days taken by people taking anti-emetic medications.
The Best Type of Orange for Sore Throat Care
Grapefruit is the most popular variety of orange because it is so easy to blend with other fruits. However, the acidity of grapefruit is very high and may not be ideal for someone with sensitive stomachs. That’s why you should look out for oranges that have a lower concentration of acidity, such as mandarins or clementines.
Ounce for Ounce, How Much Citric Acid Should I Be Eating to Help with Sore Throat?
Because there is such a big difference between one ounce of citric acid and two, experts recommend buying a case (i.e., two half-pints) to get the equivalent amounts of vitamin C. That way, you’ll get the full value from the nutrients in one serving.
Summary
Citric acid is a natural component of fruits and vegetables. It’s believed to be one of the most potent anti-inflammatory compounds found in nature, and is believed to help with a variety of health conditions, such as inflammation and digestion. One study even concluded that drinking an orange-citrus beverage every day for six months significantly reduced the levels of inflammatory compounds in the blood stream and muscles of the stomach.
That being said, oranges are rich in natural sugars, so you should be careful with your intake. Select oranges that are low in acidity and with a high concentration of vitamin C. In fact, research shows that about 20 percent of the vitamin C in an orange is able to neutralize the acidic properties of the rest. So even though oranges aren’t very high in vitamin C compared to grapefruit and other citrus fruits, they make up for it with their high concentration of citric acid.