WorldWide Drilling Resource

79 DECEMBER 2016 Need a Boost? Try a Little Bite of Sunshine Compiled by Bonnie Love, Editor, World Dril R s rc Wide ling e ou e ® Just about everyone has heard the saying “an apple a day keeps the doctor away,” but apples aren’t the only fruit with amazing health benefits. The history of oranges is pretty interesting. The popular fruit was first grown in southeast Asia, northeastern India, and southern China around 2500 B.C. Spanish explorer Juan Ponce de Leon planted America’s first orange trees in St. Augustine, Florida, in 1513. Florida produces about 70% of the total U.S. crop of oranges and 90% of those oranges are used to make juice. In Los Angeles, Cal i fornia, the orange tree was first planted by William Wolfskill in 1841. He was one of the earliest settlers of Los Angeles. He not only planted orange trees, but also sold oranges to gold rush miners. Today, Brazil, is the leading producer of oranges, accounting for about one third of the world's total production of oranges. Although oranges are known for high concentrations of vitamin C, they have numerous health benefits. K Oranges are rich in citrus limonoids, proven to help fight a number of varieties of cancer including esophageal, mouth, skin, lung, breast, stomach, and colon. K Drinking orange juice regularly prevents kidney diseases and reduces the risk of kidney stones. However, the high sugar content of fruit juices can cause tooth decay and the high acid content can wear away enamel if consumed in excess. K Since they’re full of soluble fiber, oranges are helpful in lowering cholesterol, as well as relieving constipation. K Oranges are full of potassium, an electrolyte mineral, responsible for helping the heart function well. When potassium levels get too low, you may develop an abnormal heart rhythm, known as an arrhythmia. K Studies show the abundance of polyphenols in oranges also protects against viral infections. K Oranges can also be beneficial to the health of your eyes as they are rich in carotenoid compounds which is converted to vitamin A, helping to prevent macular degeneration. K The flavonoid hesperidin found in oranges helps regulate high blood pressure, and the magnesium in oranges helps maintain blood pressure. K Oranges are full of beta-carotene, a powerful antioxidant protecting cells from damage, which also protects the skin from free radicals and prevents the signs of aging. K Oranges, like all fruits, have simple sugars in them, but the orange has a glycemic index of 40. Anything under 55 is considered low. This means as long as you don’t eat a lot of oranges at one time, they won’t spike your blood sugar and cause problems with insulin or weight gain. K New research published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition implied enjoying a daily glass of freshly squeezed orange juice can significantly lower your risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis. K There is also evidence of positive effects associated with citrus consumption in studies for arthritis, asthma, Alzheimer's disease and cognitive impairment, Parkinson's disease, gallstones, multiple sclerosis, cholera, gingivitis, optimal lung function, cataracts, ulcerative colitis, and Crohn's disease. K An orange has over 170 different phytonutrients and more than 60 flavonoids, many of which have been shown to have anti-inflammatory, and blood clot inhibiting properties, as well as strong antioxidant effects. So why not take a few extra minutes to peel open a fresh orange, or pour a glass of cold orange juice for a quick burst of energy? Power up with one of nature’s super fruits - the orange! WorldWide Drilling Resource ® The WWDR office will be closed December 23, 2016, so our staff can enjoy time with their families. There will be limited staffing in the office on December 22 rd and the week of the 26 th -30 th . E-mail will be monitored. We wish you and your families a Merry Christmas and a safe and prosperous new year!