Science students at St Margaret College Senior Secondary School Verdala, Cospicua, recently undertook research about oranges. The study was linked with the study unit Body Basic Needs.
Oranges contain vitamins A and C, as well as calcium, potassium and pectin. Their phytochemicals and limonoids help the body fight against skin, lung, breast, stomach, liver and colon cancers, viral infections and promotes heart and eye health. Drinking orange juice regularly helps lower cholesterol, prevents kidney diseases, reduces the risk of kidney stones and relieves constipation.
However, a balanced diet is recommended and orange juice must be taken in moderation. Fruit juices’ high sugar content can cause tooth decay. Also, oranges should always be washed to remove any insecticide sprayed on them.
Oranges are the largest citrus crop in the world and Brazil is the top producer. The two most common varieties of oranges are Navel and Valencia. Orange is considered the world’s third favourite flavour after chocolate and vanilla.
Oranges were first grown in southeast Asia, northeastern India and in southern China around 2,500 BC. Young orange trees were first brought to Rome from India in the 1st century AD and oranges began being grown in North Africa in the 1st century AD.
In 1493, Christopher Columbus carried orange seeds across the Atlantic to Haiti, where he planted orange orchards. By 1518 they were introduced to Panama and Mexico, and later to Brazil.
In America, orange trees were first planted in Florida in 1513 by Spanish explorer Juan Ponce de Leon. Today the US produces 25 billion oranges a year.
In the 1780s, Queen Marie Antoinette of France used to enjoy eating Maltese oranges at Versailles Palace shipped via the port of Marseille.
The students’ research was supervised by their science teacher Martin Azzopardi.
The authors are students at St Margaret College Senior Secondary School, Verdala, Cospicua.