The sour orange is a fruit that comes from India and China ; that over the years has managed to spread throughout the world. Its citrus flavor is well used for the preparation of drinks or dishes that want to give it that extra touch.
Likewise, the juice of this fruit is characterized by providing health benefits to people, since it can help prevent diseases or problems in the body . It also makes it easy to lose weight and increases physical energy.
In this article you will find all the information you need to know about the sour orange, where each benefit provided by this incredible fruit is mentioned in detail and what its nutritional contributions are when including it in our diet.
What is sour orange?
The sour orange is a fruit that comes from an evergreen tree about 8-10 meters high, which is native to Asia . It has a rough appearance and its flavor is quite citric. It is known in the scientific world as Citrus Aurantium .
Note: A report that was published by the Chilean Ministry of Health mentions that sour orange is used for traditional medicine , in which it works very well for digestive or respiratory conditions . It is also of great help to reduce obesity (1) .
Health benefits of sour orange
The benefits that sour orange can provide for health are extensive, which is why it should be considered to include said fruit in the diet either as a snack or juice, in order to take advantage of the nutritious and healthy contributions it provides, some of these being the following:
1. Strengthens the immune system
One of the main benefits of sour orange juice is that it strengthens the immune system due to its high content of vitamin C. This nutrient stimulates white blood cells, which helps fight any disease.
Important: A study carried out at the Ricardo Palma University in Peru , confirms that vitamin C is an important nutrient for the body, because it favors the proper functioning of the immune system to treat any disease that appears (2) .
2. Prevents cardiovascular diseases
Cardiovascular diseases can be prevented with sour orange, thanks to the flavanones it has, these are a class of flavonoids that act as antioxidants in the body, protecting the body from free radicals .
3. Balance cholesterol levels
Sour orange juice provides the benefit of balancing cholesterol levels , being ideal for people suffering from hypercholesterolemia . This is thanks to the soluble and insoluble fiber that this fruit has, which helps regulate this substance.
4. Favors the digestive system
The digestive system is benefited when sour orange is consumed, since this fruit contains fiber that stimulates the intestinal flora . This largely prevents constipation in people and is also effective against vomiting and diarrhea.
Note: A study that was carried out at the University of Lima in Peru, explains that fiber is beneficial for gastrointestinal health , since it decreases the transit time of waste in the intestine, softens the feces and decreases fecal pH (3) . .
5. Avoid fluid retention
Citrus aurantium is a citrus fruit that has vitamin C, potassium and magnesium , these nutrients being favorable to prevent fluid retention in the body, since it stimulates the kidneys to eliminate excess in the body.
6. Combat respiratory conditions
Orange juice provides incredible benefits , since it helps combat respiratory conditions, such as nasal congestion, bronchitis, colds and coughs thanks to the high content of vitamin C that strengthens the body’s defenses.
7. Contributes to the absorption of iron
Due to the high content of vitamin C that sour orange has, it makes it easier for the body to absorb iron at the gastrointestinal level, since this nutrient is an enhancer , making this fruit ideal to help combat anemia .
8. Strengthens joints and bones
The joints and bones can be strengthened with an adequate consumption of sour oranges, since this fruit is one of the ones with the most calcium . In addition, they have magnesium, phosphorus and vitamin C that are essential for their functioning.
9. Prevents allergies
Sour orange helps prevent allergies in people, thanks to its high content of vitamin C. This micronutrient is the one that is responsible for reducing allergic reactions in the body such as asthma or rhinitis.
10. Combat skin conditions
People can frequently consume sour oranges to combat skin conditions , since vitamin C helps form collagen in the body, this substance being essential for the epidermis and skin care.
11. Maintains healthy teeth and gums
Sour oranges help keep people’s teeth and gums healthy , due to the potassium content that this fruit has.
Tip: Do not hesitate to include it in your diet if you want to maintain good oral health.
12. Prevents some types of cancer
The appearance of some types of cancer can be reduced by the juice of sour oranges, since this fruit has a strong antioxidant reaction due to the flavonoids , limonoids and vitamin C that it possesses, slowing down the development of tumors.
13. Prevents oxidative damage
Concentrated sour orange juice prevents people from suffering oxidative damage to their bodies, thanks to its high vitamin C content, thus preventing cell deterioration to reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s or cancer .
Important: A study carried out at the University of Havana in Cuba explains that vitamin C is one of the most important nutrients because it is a main antioxidant agent in the body, which is why it helps prevent oxidative damage to the body (4 ) .
14. Increases physical energy
Physical energy can be increased with the adequate consumption of sour oranges, since they have a good amount of calories that help the body to recover strength, being ideal for those who exercise frequently.
15. Facilitates weight loss
Sour orange is a citrus fruit that speeds up metabolism , making it easier for people to lose weight . Although it is advisable that it should be combined with exercises to obtain better results.
Sour orange properties
After having seen the incredible benefits that sour orange provides for health, we must also mention the properties that this fruit has, which help to maintain a proper functioning of the body, these being the following:
vitamins
The sour orange has vitamins A and C , although the latter is the one with the most content and the one that helps the body in many benefits. For every 100 grams of this fruit consumed, 52 mg of vitamin C and 6 mg of vitamin A are obtained .
minerals
For every 100 grams of sour orange consumed, 36 mg of calcium, 12 mg of magnesium, 200 mg of potassium and 28 mg of phosphorus are obtained , these micronutrients being essential to maintain proper functioning of the body.
calories
The calorie content of citrus aurantium is good, in which for every 100 grams of this citrus fruit consumed, you get 51 calories . This is ideal for people who want to have a snack after exercising.
Fiber
The sour orange is a fruit that has a considerable amount of fiber , which helps maintain good gastrointestinal health in people, since 2 grams of fiber are found per 100 grams of sour orange.
How to consume and use sour orange?
Once the benefits and properties offered by the sour orange are known, it should be mentioned how to consume it, where the most implemented way is through its concentrated juice. However, we show you 2 different alternatives below:
sour orange tea
A sour orange tea is an ideal and simple drink to combat any allergic reaction or disease that occurs, it also falls very well at any time of the day. The ingredients and preparation steps of this drink are as follows:
Ingredients:
- Sour orange leaves and peels
- Water
- sweetener to taste
Preparation and consumption:
- Grab a handful of chopped peels and dried leaves to mix into the (warm) water.
- Let stand for 15 minutes with warm or hot water, and sweeten to taste.
Tip: It can be consumed hot or cold, and it is advisable to consume it hot if you have a respiratory condition that you want to combat.
sour orange oil
Sour orange oil is made from the leaves of the tree of this fruit, it has an incredible aroma and can be used to take advantage of its benefits, such as losing weight or regenerating skin cells . Its preparation and ingredients are:
Ingredients and utensils:
- sour orange peels
- Vodka
- Glass container
- Mortar
- Strainer
Preparation and application:
- Peel the oranges to use their peel, if possible also remove the white part entirely.
- With the support of the mortar, crush the shells until very small and thick pieces remain.
- Then add the orange peels in a glass container and add all the vodka there, until they are battered above 2 centimeters.
- Cover the glass container and shake vigorously at least 3 times a day, in order to obtain more oil.
- Then let it rest, preferably in a sunny place and repeat the process for 14 continuous days.
- Once the days have elapsed, strain the mixture from the container. The remaining liquid is collected in a bowl and filtered again.
- Then transfer the liquid from the bowl to a wide flat plate and let the alcohol evaporate for at least 3 days with cheesecloth. In order to obtain the pure bitter orange oil.
Key Findings
- The sour orange fruit is rough and is widely used for medicinal purposes.
- The health benefits of sour orange are varied, since it can prevent multiple diseases or strengthen the immune system to fight them. It also helps to lose weight.
- Sour oranges are an excellent source of vitamin C, but they also have other essential micronutrients for the body such as potassium, phosphorus, magnesium and calcium.
- Sour orange tea is an ideal drink to drink at any time of the day, as it is quick and easy to prepare, while oil is a little slower and more complex to prepare.

University Professional in the area of Human Resources, Postgraduate in Occupational Health and Hygiene of the Work Environment, 14 years of experience in the area of health. Interested in topics of Psychology, Occupational Health, and General Medicine.