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A fitness-obsessed gran has referred to oranges as being “mind blowing health and anti-aging marvels” and here she explains why they are key to her youthful looks
A woman famed for being the “world’s hottest gran” said she fights off “pesky signs of ageing” thanks to one thing.
Gina Stewart, 54, said people are constantly surprised at her age, and she believes oranges play a vital role in her youthful aesthetic.
The Playboy model, who has three grandkids, is convinced healthy eating can delay the effects of ageing and that simple dietary tips can have profound impacts.
Speaking to the Mirror about the “anti-aging marvels”, she said: “At 54 I’m not messing around. I’m still young enough to shape up and look good, take care of myself and I’m old enough to know better.
“Our daily food choices can heal and reverse aging to some extent combined with moderate exercise.”
The glamorous content creator, who said oranges were not your average run-of-the-mill fruit, added: “Oranges are not only a tasty and refreshing fruit but also a natural powerhouse for promoting health and combating signs of ageing.“
Gina, who is from the Gold Coast in Australia, reeled off a list of ways she believes oranges tackle ageing, including the fruit being rich in vitamin C and a key nutrient in the production of collagen – a protein that can preserve your skin’s elasticity. It is also marketed as being able to reduce visible wrinkles.
According to the NHS, citrus fruits like oranges and orange juice are good sources of vitamin C. They list important functions like “helping to protect cells and keeping them healthy” and “maintaining healthy skin, blood vessels, bones and cartilage.”
The social media influencer also said the natural citric acid in oranges can exfoliate dead skin cells while also fading dark spots and blemishes. The NHS stated vitamin C found in oranges can help with wound healing.
Living in sunny Oz, she also said the antioxidants in oranges protect her skin from harmful UV rays. This has been suggested in some research but experts stress that it should not be a substitute for sunscreen.
The model and health coach also spoke about how oranges promote healthy blood flow, combats inflammation and maintains youthful eyes.
This was backed up by Harvard health experts who listed oranges as being a good food to reduce the risk of several chronic illnesses because of its anti-inflammatory properties.
Dr Frank Hu said: “Many experimental studies have shown that components of foods or beverages may have anti-inflammatory effects. Choose the right anti-inflammatory foods, and you may be able to reduce your risk of illness. Consistently pick the wrong ones, and you could accelerate the inflammatory disease process.”
As well as oranges, he also listed tomatoes, olive oil and fatty fish like salmon or tuna as being good anti-inflammation foods.
Gina meanwhile said: “By incorporating oranges into your daily diet or skincare routine, you can enjoy these powerful anti-aging benefits, giving your skin a radiant glow and your body the vitality it needs to thrive. A simple habit like eating an orange daily could be your best kept secret.”
And as for how she adds them into her daily diet, she explained how fresh orange juice without added sugars was a good morning boost. She also encouraged adding orange segments to oatmeal, yoghurts or smoothies.
Gina usually has a peeled orange or mandarin slice on hand for a quick low-calorie snack to curb cravings and to keep her hydrated.
As for including it in meals, she recommended using freshly squeezed orange juice in marinades for chicken, fish or tofu or orange zest to a vegetable stir-fry.
For dessert options, she mentioned things like dark chocolate dipped oranges and homemade orange sorbet with freshly squeezed juice, honey and frozen water.
Despite the benefits of oranges, the NHS warned that having too much vitamin C in your diet can lead to stomach pain, diarrhoea and flatulence.
Gina, who became famous in 2019 after entering a Maxim modelling competition, also adds dried orange peels to herbal tea blends and she concluded: “As we age it is essential to make healthy choices.
“By incorporating oranges into your meals, snacks and drinks, you can enhance your diet in a simple but effective way, staying vibrant and energised.”