Antioxidant
A substance that helps protect living cells from oxidation and neutralizes free radicals. Many of them are free radical scavengers. Well-known antioxidants include vitamin A, vitamin C, and vitamin E. Carotenoids and flavonoids may also have antioxidant activities.
Birth Defects
A birth defect is an abnormality of structure, function or metabolism (body chemistry) present at birth that results in physical or mental disability, or is fatal. Birth defects are the leading cause of death in the first year of life. They are often related to nutrient deficiency. Folic acid has been associated with reducing the risk for a birth defect known as a “neural tube defect,” a defect of the brain or spine, if it is taken before and during the first trimester of pregnancy.
Calcium
A mineral that is essential for a variety of body functions. Calcium aids in bone and tooth development, blood pressure regulation and muscle function.
Calorie
A measure of the amount of energy obtained from food. May also be stated as kilocalories (kcal).
Cancer
The name for diseases in which the body’s cells become abnormal and divide without control. Cancer cells may invade nearby tissues. They may spread through the bloodstream and lymphatic system to other parts of the body. Some compounds found in citrus have been linked to a reduced risk of certain cancers.
Carbohydrate
One of the main dietary components of foods that includes sugars, starches, and fiber. The primary function of carbohydrates is to provide energy for the body.
Cardiovascular Disease (CVD)
A term for diseases of the heart and blood vessels. Cardiovascular disease includes arteriosclerosis, coronary artery disease, heart failure, high blood pressure, and peripheral vascular disease. Citrus contains nutrients and phytochemicals that may reduce the risk of CVD as part of a healthy diet.
Carotenoids
Natural fat-soluble pigments found in certain plants. Carotenoids provide the bright red, orange, or yellow coloration of many fruits and vegetables. They serve as antioxidants is come cases and some carotenoids can be converted into vitamin A in the body. Carotenoids have been associated with the support of healthy eyes and heart, and with reduced risk of certain cancers. Various citrus fruits have different types of carotenoids including alpha-carotene, beta-carotene, beta-cryptoxanthin, lutein, lycopene and zeaxanthin.
Cholesterol
A type of lipid made by the body and absorbed from animal products. Cholesterol is transported in the blood as low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL). HDL is often called ‘good’ cholesterol and LDL is called ‘bad’ cholesterol.
Daily Value (%DV)
The % Daily Values are based on two sets of reference values for key nutrients. For food labeling purposes, the Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie daily diet and can be used as reference points for helping individuals understand what their dietary nutrient needs should be and how a particular food can help meet nutrient needs.
Diabetes
A disorder in which the body does not produce or properly use insulin. Insulin is the hormone responsible for regulating the absorption of glucose into cells to be used for energy or for storage. There are two major types of diabetes: type 1 (the body does not produce insulin), and type 2 (either the body does not produce enough insulin or cells do not respond to insulin).
Dietary Fiber
Refers to various forms of complex carbohydrates found in plants that are resistant to the digestive enzymes produced by humans. Dietary fiber is often classified as soluble fiber and insoluble fiber. Citrus fruit contains both soluble and insoluble fibers.
Enzyme
A protein (or protein-based molecule) that speeds up a chemical reaction in a living organism.
Flavonoids
Flavonoids are naturally occurring compounds found in fruits and vegetables. Citrus contain
flavonoids such as hesperidin, naringin, tangeretin, narirutin, and nobiletin. Many flavonoids compounds are known to have antioxidant activity, and may help in the fight against a variety of health problems such as cancers, cardiovascular diseases, degenerative eye disease, and damage caused by aging.
Folate (Folic Acid)
A water-soluble vitamin that plays a key role in DNA formation and cell division. It helps guard against one form of anemia, and may reduce the risk of birth defects known as “neural tube defects”.
Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
A government agency responsible for regulating food, dietary supplements, drugs, cosmetics, medical devices, biologics and blood products in the United States.
Glycemic Index (GI)
A numerical classification representing the ability of the carbohydrates in a food to raise blood glucose following ingestion of the food. The GI addresses the quality of carbohydrates, but not the effect of the quantity of carbohydrates in a food portion on glucose response.
Glycemic Load (GL)
GL is a mathematical concept defined as the product of the carbohydrate content per serving of food and its glycemic index. GL was introduced to improve the reliability of predicting the blood glucose response of a given food or diet by taking into account the quantity and quality of the carbohydrate component of the food.
Homocysteine
An amino acid produced by the body and not found in foods. Elevated blood homocysteine concentrations have been associated with an increased risk factor for heart disease and implicated in other disease conditions. Folate found in citrus may reduce the level of homocysteine in the blood.
Hypertension (High Blood Pressure)
Defined as chronically elevated high blood pressure, with systolic blood pressure of
140 mm Hg or greater, and diastolic blood pressure of 90 mm Hg or greater. Foods, like orange juice, that are a good source of potassium and are low in sodium may reduce the risk of high blood pressure.
Immune System
Comprises all the mechanisms through which the human body defends itself from external invaders such as bacteria or viruses.
Inflammation
Represents a series of reactions initiated by the body occurring after most insults such as injuries, infections or other immunologic stimulation. Inflammation can be beneficial if it succeeds in eliminating rapidly the cause of the trauma. If acute inflammation cannot repair the damage, inflammation becomes chronic. Chronic inflammation has been shown to be associated with many diseases.
Iron
A mineral essential for certain enzymes to function and for the formation of hemoglobin (red blood cell pigment) and myoglobin (muscle cell pigment). Vitamin C enhances the absorption of iron from plant sources.
Limonoids
Naturally occurring highly oxygenated compounds found in plants, which include citrus. These compounds may participate in the improvement of human health and nutrition. Limonin and nomilin are the most prevalent citrus limonoids.
Lycopene
A carotenoid that gives red and pink grapefruit their color. It is an antioxidant that may be linked with reduced risk of prostate cancer.
Magnesium
A mineral involved in many processes in the body including the building of healthy bones and normal muscle contraction.
Mineral
A naturally occurring, usually inorganic substance, in the form of a pure element or a compound with a specific chemical composition and characteristic crystal structure. The body needs minerals, such as calcium, potassium, magnesium, and iron for good health, proper metabolic functioning, and disease prevention.
Niacin
A water-soluble vitamin also known as vitamin B3. It plays an essential role in the action of various enzymes involved in the metabolism of carbohydrates and fats, the functioning of the nervous and digestive systems, the manufacture of sex hormones, and the maintenance of healthy skin.
Nutrient Density
Nutrient density is a measure of nutrients provided per calorie of food. Nutrient-dense foods, like citrus fruits and juices, have been described as those that provide substantial amounts of vitamins and minerals (micronutrients) and relatively fewer calories.
Osteoporosis
A weakening of the bones, usually associated with the aging process and menopause. Osteoporosis is characterized by a decrease in the density of calcium in bones. As calcium disappears, the bones start to become hollow and can no longer play their structural role. This leads to an increase in bone fractures. Several citrus compounds may have a beneficial effect in limiting osteoporosis and increasing bone density.
Pantothenic Acid
A water-soluble vitamin also known as vitamin B5. It is essential for the actions of various enzymes involved in the metabolism of carbohydrates and fats, the manufacture of corticosteroids and sex hormones, the utilization of other vitamins, and the functioning of the nervous system and adrenal glands.
Pectin
A complex carbohydrate present in plant cell walls and found in significant levels in citrus fruits and apples. It is a soluble dietary fiber that has been associated with lowering cholesterol.
Phytochemicals
Naturally occurring non-nutritive compounds found in fruits and vegetables. Many of them have important health promoting properties such as antioxidants, which may help in the fight against certain chronic diseases, including heart disease and cancer.
Potassium
A mineral that is essential for human health. It plays an important role in maintaining water balance and acid balance in the human body. It contributes to maintenance of normal blood pressure. Foods like orange juice that are a good source of potassium and low in sodium may help reduce the risk of high blood pressure and stroke.
Protein
A complex macro-molecule made up of one or more strings of building blocks called amino acids. Proteins are required for the structure, function, and regulation of the body’s cells, tissues, and organs. Proteins are essential components of muscles, skin, bones and the body as a whole.
Riboflavin
A water-soluble vitamin also known as vitamin B2. It is important for body growth and red blood cell production and helps in releasing energy from carbohydrates.
Sodium
A mineral that regulates the body’s water balance, maintains normal heart rhythm, and is responsible for the conduction of nerve impulses and the contraction of muscles. Excessive sodium intake has been associated with the increased risk of hypertension.
Stroke
A type of cardiovascular disease that affects the arteries leading to and within the brain. There are two major kinds of stroke: ischemic stroke (caused by a blood clot which blocks a blood vessel or artery in the brain), and hemorrhagic stroke (caused by a blood vessel in the brain that breaks and bleeds into the brain). Citrus contains nutrients and phytochemicals that may reduce the risk of stroke.
Sugar
Water-soluble crystalline carbohydrates, normally having a sweet taste. Most common sugars in the diet are glucose, fructose, sucrose and lactose.
Thiamin
A water-soluble vitamin also known as vitamin B1. Thiamin plays a vital role in the actions of various enzymes involved in the breakdown and utilization of carbohydrates and in the functioning of the nerves, muscles and heart.
Total Fat
The sum of the saturated, monounsaturated, and polyunsaturated fats present in a food.
United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)
An agency of the United States Federal Government. Its purpose is to develop and execute policy on farming, agriculture, and food, including the development and enforcement of the Standard for Grades of all Florida citrus products. The USDA also helps develop the Dietary Guidelines for Americans and the MyPyramid food guidance system (i.e., food guide pyramid).
Vitamins
Fat-soluble or water-soluble organic compounds that are required in minute amounts in the diet. They are essential for life and since the body cannot synthesize them at all or in sufficient amounts, they need to be obtained from the diet.
Vitamin A
A family of fat-soluble compounds (retinol, retinal and retinoic acid) that play an important role in vision, bone growth, reproduction, cell division and cell differentiation. The carotenoids alpha-carotene, beta-carotene, and beta-cryptoxanthin are considered pro-vitamin A carotenoids because they can be converted into vitamin A in the body.
Vitamin B6
A water-soluble vitamin that exists in three major chemical forms: pyridoxine, pyridoxal and pyridoxamine. It plays a vital role in the actions of various enzymes and hormones, in the manufacture of red blood cells and antibodies and in the maintenance of healthy skin.
Vitamin C
A water-soluble vitamin also known as ascorbic acid. It is important for the growth and maintenance of healthy bones, teeth, gums, ligaments and blood vessels, and in the production of neurotransmitters and hormones. It is important in the immune response, wound healing and in the absorption of iron from certain foods. Ascorbic acid acts as an antioxidant.
Vitamin D
A fat-soluble vitamin that is found in food and can also be made in the body after exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun. The major biologic function of vitamin D is to maintain normal blood levels of calcium and phosphorus. By promoting calcium absorption,
vitamin D helps to form and maintain strong bones.