Citrus fruits: Friend and Foe

I love citrus fruits. They’re a fantastic source of vitamin C and carry real anti-inflammatory benefits. But their high acid content is a double-edged sword — while beneficial in moderation, too much can irritate the gut and cause genuine discomfort.

Over time I’ve settled on a few rules that let me enjoy citrus without paying for it later: no more than three small clementines per day, and no more than one orange. I also avoid eating citrus fruits on an empty stomach.

If you have a sensitive stomach, a few small adjustments can make a real difference: eat citrus after a meal rather than before, stay within moderate portions, and listen to your body’s signals early rather than pushing through.

CitrusVitamin C per fruit [mg]Vitamin C per fruit mass [10-3]
Orange70-90 0.5
Grapefruit800.3
Tangerine260.3
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