Citrus sinensis is the scientific name for the sweet oranges varieties that are commonly eaten as fruit. There is evidence that consuming oranges is beneficial to health, and this relates partly to their phytochemistry. Oranges are high in flavonoids of the flavone subgroup. Studies have examined the neurobehavioural effects of oranges on animals to assess if they are able to affect the central nervous system in a significant way. For example, in one study, administration of Citrus sinensis extract to animals caused significant changes to the animal’s behaviour when they were exposed to experimental stress. In particular the animals became less nervous and showed signs of decreased anxiety, indicating that the orange extract may have acted on the central nervous system to reduce anxiety. In addition, the same researchers noted that the behavioural changes elicited by the oranges could also be equated to an antidepressant-like effect. Consuming oranges regularly may therefore have benefits on mental health.
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