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Winter heralds cooler weather, picnics and oranges. Juicy, sweet and full of vitamin C, oranges make the perfect snack. They are easy to eat on the go and add that extra zing to your recipes.

Toss them in a salad, mix them with pineapples and guavas to create your own tropical fruit salad or just eat them on their own. Not just brimming with taste, but research shows that oranges have healing properties too.

Studies reveal oranges contain many phytonutrient compounds and are a powerhouse of antioxidants. Thus, they are shown to lower high blood pressure as well as cholesterol in animal studies. They also have strong anti-inflammatory properties. The phytonutrient responsible is found in the peel and inner white pulp of the orange, rather than in its liquid orange centre, so try and slice the rind finely and add the zest to salads, desserts and even lemonade for a added kick.

You probably know that oranges are an excellent source of vitamin C — just one orange supplies 116.2% of the daily value for it, but do you know just how important vitamin C and oranges are for good health? This vitamin is the primary water-soluble antioxidant. It prevents inflammatory conditions and reduces the severity of asthma, osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. It also lowers bad cholesterol. Since it plays a role in the proper function of a healthy immune system, it prevents colds and prevents recurrent ear infections.

The Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Report has linked the consumption of citrus fruits like oranges to improvement in conditions like arthritis, asthma, Alzheimer's disease and cognitive impairment, Parkinson's disease, macular degeneration, diabetes, gallstones, multiple sclerosis, cholera, gingivitis, optimal lung function, cataracts, ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease.

It also helps in keeping at bay problems related to being overweight like diabetes and heart disease.

Now, do you need any more reasons to eat a juicy, fresh orange? Perhaps even two!