Spring is finally here! Flowers are blooming, the birds are chirping, and our favorite citrus fruits are ready to be enjoyed.

Not only do oranges, mandarins, and grapefruit taste great, they also have many nutrients to keep us happy and healthy. A complementary blend of Vitamin C, potassium, fiber, phosphorus and B vitamins help with the following:

1. Boost your immune system and shorten your cold’s duration
2. Heal wounds
3. Support cartilage, joints and muscles
4. Maintain bones, skin, and teeth
5. Keep you regular
6. Delay aging while protecting against heart disease and some cancers.

Phytonutrients

Citrus fruits contain phytonutrients! You may have heard this term before, but what are they exactly? Phytochemicals are simply compounds from plants, and they are responsible for many of the protective effects of foods like fruits and vegetables. Many phytochemicals are antioxidants, which keep us healthy by helping the body fight free radicals. With the warmer weather of spring, fruits and vegetables begin to grow, with all their various colors and textures. These beautiful colors reflect types of phytonutrients called flavonoids and carotenoids. Different colored foods have different nutrients that keep us healthy, so be sure to choose a wide variety of fruits and vegetables with varying colors.

For delicious recipes, nutrition tips, and to find cooking and nutrition classes, go to the Kendall Reagan Nutrition Center[2] website. More great info also available at the College of Health and Human Sciences Pinterest board[3].