Article for magazine

Perks of citrus fruit - The writing in red was all edited out for the final DPS.

Citrus fruits, are ever so underrated and by the end of this article I hope I've brought you to the brighter and perkier side of eating/ using citrus fruits. First of all lets start with lemons! Lemons are a source of calcium, vitamin C, magnesium and potassium minerals and antioxidants that improve the appearance and condition of our hair, skin and nails- However lemon juice should not be left on the body for extended periods of time as you may have severe reactions if exposed to the sun. Always consult with your doctor if you have any concerns. Lemons' antibacterial and anti-fungal properties make them a natural alternative to treat acne. Simply slice open a lemon and rub it across your face. Or you can add a few drops of honey to a lemon half before applying it directly to the area where you have blackheads. Wait five to ten minutes before rinsing off with cold water. And if that's not to win you over lemons also whiten teeth. Professional teeth whitening treatments can cost a fortune, so save yourself a lot of money and time with a homemade teeth whitener! Using baking soda and lemon juice. Mix the two ingredients into a bubbly solution and apply to your teeth with a cotton bud. Leave on for no more than one minute (the acid is strong enough to break down tooth enamel) and gently scrub off with a toothbrush.

Limes! The tiny green balls (of fruit) of happiness. Limes pack a powerful amount of vitamin C in a small package. One whole lime, typically about 67 grams, contains 35 percent of your daily vitamin C requirements. Vitamin C may help prevent colds from developing and may minimize cold symptoms. Adding lemon or lime juice to your meals may help protect you from developing arthritis. Similar to an orange, a lemon has 53 milligrams of vitamin C per 100 grams, while a lime has 29 milligrams. English researchers who studied more than 20,000 arthritis-free people reported in the journal "Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases" that those with the highest intake of vitamin C were at least three times less likely to develop arthritis than those who took in the lowest amount of vitamin C. Limes also help the digestive tract. The acidic nature helps breakdown food and due to the intense scent, digestive juices ad acids are encouraged, aiding to a smoother digestion which can also help constipation. Limes and lime juice have been used for hundreds of years as bleaching agents. It can help rejuvenate the skin as it is an anti-biotic, an anti-oxidant and has great disinfectant properties. The health benefits of lime juice also stretch to eye care such as clearing up conjunctivitis.

Oranges can be sweet or bitter; the sweet ones are best for juicing or eating out of hand, while the bitter ones hold up well to sugar in marmalades and candies. Navel oranges, named for the indentation in the skin at the fruit’s stem end, are easy to peel and virtually seedless, with a sweet and juicy flesh. Smaller Valencia oranges have smooth skin and abundant juice, which is great for drinking and blending into vinaigrettes and sauces. Aromatic blood oranges have a reddish blush on the skin and intensely flavourful, deep red flesh and juice. Mandarin oranges are smaller and less acidic than other varieties, with loose peels and mild flesh.