Why is eating an orange between halves of a match considered a sporting habit?

Arab Weather - Eating oranges during the half-time break is a well-established tradition in some sports in countries such as Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Oranges are usually given to professional athletes in competitions such as the Australian Football League, the National Basketball Association, and the National Football League (NFL) in America.

NFL regulations state that home teams must provide the away team with "3 dozen sliced oranges during halftime," in addition to other items such as ice, coffee and gum.

Oranges are rich in water, minerals, and carbohydrates that help restore energy and activity, making them a recommended choice in matches that last more than 75 minutes.

History of oranges in sports

According to the Medical Express website, there are several stories about the origin of this tradition. One story suggests that it began in England in the 1950s. Another suggestion from the American Youth Football Organization suggests that the tradition arose from a donation from a local citrus growing company. It is also believed that the custom spread during World War II in Australia and the United Kingdom due to government concerns about malnutrition following rationing.

Similar to the distribution of free milk in schools to prevent diseases such as rickets, oranges were introduced to compensate for vitamin C and iron deficiencies, as vitamin C is known to improve the absorption of iron from plant sources.

• Benefits of oranges during break

Choosing fruit, such as oranges, during your break is an effective way to boost your fruit intake. Oranges provide a healthy alternative to sweets that only contain added sugars. Oranges (along with other fruits such as watermelon, strawberries and grapes) contain high amounts of water, which helps to keep you hydrated, which is vital in all sports and at all ages. Oranges also contain natural sugars that provide energy during exercise, making them an ideal snack during your break.

A medium-sized orange contains about 10-12 grams of carbohydrates from natural sugars, which are easily digested to provide sustained energy.

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