Skip to main content

The TikTok trend of eating oranges in the shower sounds dumb, but you should do it anyway

Eating citrus and not worrying about the mess? Sign us up!

Orange sliced in half by knife on cutting board.
Jonathan Pielmayer / Unsplash

TikTokers have a way of making certain trends go viral — whether they are life hacks we never knew we needed, tips on the most popular dances, or fun food trends — there is never a shortage of options to view. Recently, a trend of eating oranges (yum) whilst in the shower (um…ok?) has been showing up in everyone’s news feed, and for good reason. Some say it’s the aromatics, others say it just makes you feel better, and still others say it’s just the motivation they need in the morning. Bottom line: you can’t go wrong adding oranges and showers to your daily routine, so why not combine them?

@makenzyksmith

the orange in the shower phenomenon is actually so legit. 🍊🚿 #showerorange

♬ original sound – Makenzy Smith

The benefits of eating oranges

Before we get to the shower bit, oranges are considered a nutritional gut-punch, packed with vitamins, minerals, and the kind of goodness not found in other small citrus. Vitamin C, a water-soluble antioxidant preventing cell damage, is the biggest reason to eat the little orange gems. Not only does vitamin C help with collagen and vessel formation, but it also helps fight inflammation, improves your immune system, and helps reduce blood pressure and stress. If eating an orange in the shower makes you feel better and gets you to eat a healthy fruit, then, overall, we think it’s a good idea.

But why eat them in the shower?

Besides the obvious smell factor, which helps you immediately relax and eliminate stress, TikTokers point out that eating any citrus in the shower means less mess that comes from its juices. That’s right, no more washing your hands, chin, or any other body part, because you’re in the shower. You are self-cleaning as you eat! Still, other TikTokers say it just makes the fruit taste better in general. It is a freeing experience to eat something messy while cleaning yourself at the same time.

But back to the stress relief. Think about how much you spend on fancy soaps and body washes that make you and the entire shower experience smell fabulous. What if you can accomplish this by simply eating an orange? Who knew self-care could be so cheap and easy? Dare we say this is a “well-rounded” experience?

While there are TikTok trends that have come and gone for being silly or unnecessary, it feels like having an excuse to eat most of your daily vitamin C requirement while getting yourself ready in the morning just makes sense. It smells nice (and dare we say you will also smell nice), it’s good for you, and cleanup is a breeze. This feels like one of those trends that’s a win-win to us. So, why not give it a try? You’ll be in good company. And if it feels too weird, you can always just eat your oranges at the kitchen table the way you always have. That works, too.

Editors' Recommendations

Julie Scagell
Former Digital Trends Contributor
I am a freelance writer based in Minneapolis, MN. My passions include my dogs, talking about my dogs, and taking pictures of…
These are the 3 types of exercise you should be doing for better mental health, study says
Man lifting deadlift bar

Depression can feel like an uphill battle you never signed up for. Often, movement can seem like the last thing that would help you feel better. However, numerous studies have shown the positive effects of exercise on mental health. It has even been suggested that exercise could be considered a “core treatment” for depression.

What is the link between exercise and depression?
Exercise has long been known to have numerous benefits for our physical health, but what about our mental well-being? 

Read more
Here are the benefits of taking vitamin D supplements – what you should know
Find out if you're getting enough Vitamin D or if you need help getting more
A close-up of a vitamin D capsule

It’s not always easy or feasible to consume a well-balanced and varied diet. Between juggling a busy schedule with minimal time for healthy food preparation, food allergies and intolerances, dietary preferences, and cultural eating habits, many of us fall short of meeting the nutritional recommendations for several key vitamins and minerals. Even if you cook at home and try to eat a healthy diet, you may be deficient in certain micronutrients because some essential vitamins and minerals are only found in a few food sources or are only present in low concentrations.
Vitamin D is a prime example of a vital nutrient that is not found in many common foods in the standard American diet, nor is it necessarily well absorbed when consumed in food sources. Rather, exposure of the skin to sunlight is the primary means by which the body’s vitamin D levels are increased, as exposure to UVB rays stimulates the production of vitamin D.
However, as the hours of daylight dwindle in the winter and the sun becomes less intense, it becomes increasingly difficult to meet your vitamin D needs. Because vitamin D plays several key physiological roles, it may be advisable to take vitamin D supplements. Keep reading for our helpful primer on the functions and benefits of vitamin D, foods high in vitamin D, and whether vitamin D supplementation may be useful.

What is vitamin D?
Along with vitamins A, E, and K, vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin, which means it's stored in the body rather than excreted like vitamins C and B vitamins. However, unlike any other vitamin, vitamin D is actually a steroid hormone produced from cholesterol when skin cells are exposed to UVB rays. In addition to the endogenous production of vitamin D, there are two different dietary forms of the nutrient:

Read more
9 berries you should include in your diet, and why
The best berries for your health
Blackberries, blueberries, and strawberries in the same container

Almost everyone enjoys eating berries. They’re delicious and add a lovely sweetness to most dishes, especially in the morning or as an afternoon snack. They also come with a variety of health benefits. Some types of berries are even better than the rest and come with an extra supply of vitamins and fiber.

Other berries act like protective shields for your blood cells. Thanks to their high antioxidant content, they have more strength and power than other fruits and vegetables.

Read more