Tasty Bites: Vitamin C and Orange Julius

By Candy, RN (Steele the Day)

Vitamin C, a powerful antioxidant, has a wide range of benefits to health. Studies have shown it has infection-fighting properties, and it can prevent damage to body cells. People rush to get Vitamin C at the first symptoms of a cold, and it certainly can’t hurt. Vitamin C acts like an anti-histamine, and can relieve symptoms. Before antibiotics, nutritionists promoted eating foods high in Vitamin C as well as other nutrients found in fresh fruits and vegetables to fight disease. Certainly people who have a higher intake of nutrient-rich foods have a higher infection-fighting ability.

Does Vitamin C have an effect on cortisol production? Cortisol is adrenal hormone released during stress, and as such contributes to the stress response, or “fight or flight” syndrome. It causes heart rate and blood pressure to increase in response to stress. It also activates the enzymes that promote fat storage in the body. These are all precisely balanced in the healthy body. Some studies have shown that high doses of vitamin C appear to exert a subtle cortisol-reducing effect in humans, though the evidence is limited.

There is little risk to getting too much Vitamin C, as it is a water-soluble vitamin and is eliminated rapidly by the kidneys with high doses.

Lemons, papayas, kiwi, grapefruit, oranges, and strawberries are some fruits that are very high in Vitamin C. Vegetables such as sweet red, green, and yellow peppers and broccoli contain high amounts of Vitamin C, too. Both fruits and vegetables contribute other important phytochemicals that are important to overall health and immunity from disease. Frozen fruits and vegetables are just as nutritious as fresh. They are usually picked at their peak freshness and contain the same amount of nutrients.

Here’s a great smoothie that will give you plenty of vitamin C. You can substitute any fruit puree for the orange juice concentrate. You can also use Splenda, honey, or agave nectar in place of the sugar.

Orange Julius

6 ounces  frozen orange juice concentrate

1 cup  milk (skim, 2%, or whole)

1 cup  water

4 tablespoons  sugar

1 teaspoon  vanilla

12 ice cubes

Combine all ingredients in blender; cover and blend until smooth.

References: NutritionData.com, American Dietetic Association, MedlinePlus

Candy Steele is a registered nurse who has worked with cardiac patients for over thirty years. “Functional foods” have become her passion, and she enjoys sharing her love of cooking, a random life and a faithful Jesus with her friends at Steele (the Day). She is blessed with three grown children, a new daughter-in-law, and a kind and patient husband who only knows how to fix popcorn (but she’s OK with that).

Comments

[Helen]

Sounds delicious, Candy! I wish you'd start a recipe blog!

[MAD21]

Umm... Helen... isn't that what this is? :-) She's been posting awesome recipes for me for a few weeks. Silly woman.

[Candy]

When I get my blog remodel done, I'm going to put a post on there to direct people over here for Tasty Bites. All two of them. And I may have some recipes on mine as well. But my recipes for Ginny will have a "purpose." So don't leave, Helen!

[MAD21]

You've done six posts so far, Candy. I believe four of them have had recipes. With more to come! Yay!