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By Heide Kennedy, Arizona Farm Bureau Communications Intern

Did you know that Arizona’s temperature and soil are perfect for growing all sorts of citrus? Oranges, tangerines, grapefruit, and lemons all grow very well here in our home state. In fact, this is why citrus is one of the 5 C’s of Arizona, along with copper, cattle, climate, and cotton. Citrus is an incredibly healthy fruit that offers many health benefits.

So, what makes citrus so healthy? Citrus fruits are a great source of vitamin C, which is a vitamin that does a lot for our bodies. Vitamin C is a water-soluble vitamin that our bodies don’t make by themselves, meaning that we must get it through the foods that we eat. The recommended daily amounts for vitamin C are 75 milligrams for women, and 90 milligrams for men. But, according to Dr. Gail Feinberg, most Americans get plenty of vitamin C from their regular diets, so supplementation is not necessary, but it never hurts to consume more!

The following are some of the health benefits that vitamin C provides us:

• Protects against oxidative stress
• Promotes tissue health
• Promotes eye health
• Boosts immunity
• Aids in nutrient absorption

If you want to get more vitamin C in your diet, add some citrus to your diet! Make yourself some orange juice, or lemonade, or try my favorite, and add some sliced citrus to flavor your water! Oranges and grapefruits are also delicious snacks all by themselves! Also, when you’re at your local grocery store or farmers market, look for fresh, Arizona-grown citrus!

For more health-related articles, or for resources on where and how to find Arizona-grown products, check out the Fill Your Plate website!