Have you ever considered all the great things that can happen in your body when you eat citrus fruits? There are so many citrus fruits – oranges, lemons, limes, grapefruits, tangerines, clementines and many more. They come in many colors like orange, yellow, green, red and pink.

What does a juicy, sweet-tasting orange or grapefruit have to do with good nutrition? These colorful, nutrient-loaded fruits contain vitamin C, fiber, folate, potassium and cancer-fighting agents. Citrus fruits are also high in magnesium, vitamin B6, lycopene, thiamin and niacin. What does this mean for you?

The nutrients in citrus fruits help fight bacteria, viruses and cancer by strengthening the cells in your body. With strong cells in your body, you may be able to avoid that winter cold virus. Also, vitamin C can help your baby grow and help build strong bones and teeth. Did you know that vitamin C helps a pregnant mother absorb more iron—which is important for her child’s development?

The fiber in citrus fruits can help lower cholesterol and may help lower our risk for certain cancers. You can reduce your risk of colon, breast and pancreatic cancers just by eating a serving of citrus fruit every day.

Folate, another nutrient in citrus fruits, helps babies develop inside and outside the womb, while potassium can help lower blood pressure and your risk of having a stroke. The other nutrients help the body fight against many allergies, aging and heart problems, too. All of these nutrients can help people of all shapes and sizes become healthier.