Clementines are a cross between mandarin oranges and navel oranges. They are also widely referred to by their commercial designations Cuties and Halos. These diminutive fruits are vivid orange in color, have a thin skin that is simple to peel and are often seedless. They are sweeter than the majority of other citrus fruits. Because of these qualities, they are frequently advertised to young people and their caregivers as a simple method for youngsters to incorporate fruit into their healthy diets. They have a high vitamin C content and are a great supplier of antioxidants. However, similar to grapefruit, they contain components that have the potential to cause interactions with the medications that you take. A single clementine satisfies 40 percent of your recommended daily intake of vitamin C, making it one of the most potent sources of this essential nutrient.
Vitamin C is a potent immune system booster and antioxidant that can protect cells from being damaged by free radicals, which are unstable chemicals that can cause harm to cells. Furthermore, eating just one clementine is a good source of folate. These nutrients assist in avoiding anemia and promote appropriate metabolism, two of the numerous tasks that keep your body operating at its best so that you can enjoy life to the fullest.
Proceed further if you’re interested in learning more about the nutritional content and medical advantages of clementines, in addition to a few of the possible risks that may be associated with eating these fruits.
What are the medical advantages of clementines?
The skin’s health and attractiveness can both benefit from the consumption of clementines due to their high content of antioxidants such as vitamin C. They have the potential to increase the amount of fiber you consume. In addition, considering that they are appealing to children, they encourage the consumption of fruit among individuals of this age group. The following is a summary of a few of the possible medical advantages that clementines and other citrus fruits may offer.
Following are the medical advantages of clementines
Packed with protective antioxidants
Antioxidants found in abundance in clementines assist in reducing inflammation and protect cells from free radical damage. Therefore, antioxidants can aid in the avoidance of illnesses such as diabetes type 2, cardiovascular illness, and many others. There are several more citrus antioxidants present in these fruits than vitamin C. Beta carotene, a form of vitamin A, is typically found in foods that are orange or red. Sugar absorption and the development of cells are both aided by this potent antioxidant. Hesperidin is an antioxidant found in citrus fruits, and preliminary animal and laboratory studies suggest it may have potent anti-inflammatory effects. Finally, narirutin has been shown to promote psychological well-being in animal trials and has shown promise in research conducted in test tubes for treating Alzheimer’s disease. Nonetheless, further human studies are required.
Could improve skin health
Vitamin C, which is abundant in clementines, has multiple benefits for the skin. It is abundant in the skin because it helps the body produce collagen, the protein complex responsible for the skin’s elasticity, stiffness, and plumpness. Because proper amounts of collagen may decrease the look of wrinkles, consuming lots of vitamin C in your diet will assist guarantee your body creates sufficient collagen to maintain your skin appearing healthy and possibly younger. Vitamin C’s antioxidant properties may aid in the treatment of breakouts, swelling, and discoloration by lowering inflammation and counteracting the effects of free radical damage.
Can cause a greater consumption of fiber
Although a single clementine only has one gram of fiber, eating several during the day is a great method to increase your fiber consumption without any effort. The beneficial bacteria in your digestive tract thrive on the fiber found in fruits. It also helps prevent diverticular disorder, which can develop when undigested food becomes stuck in polyps in the digestive tract, by softening and bulking up your stool. The fiber in fruits has been shown to reduce cholesterol by inhibiting the uptake of dietary cholesterol. High fiber consumption is related to better body weight, and eating lots of fruit is connected with a lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
Encourages young people to eat fruit
Clementines are great for kids since they are portable, quick to peel, sweet, and typically seedless. Many clementine brands target parents and children as a means of increasing the latter group’s fruit consumption. This is significant since, as reported by the scientists just over a third of American youngsters consume sufficient amounts of fruit regularly. ill dietary habits and ill health in growing up have been linked to a lack of fruit and vegetable consumption in childhood. Clementines are a great way to get kids interested in fruit and get them to eat nutritious foods early on since they are tasty and relatively cheap for parents to buy.
Essential oil
Essential oils from citrus fruits, based on a 2019 study of their medical advantages, have antibacterial capabilities. Clementine peel essential oil’s antibacterial effects on skin cell healing from injuries were studied in a 2018 lab research. The clementine essential oil was discovered to have strong antibacterial activity, especially versus the yeast Candida albicans, according to the study’s authors. The study’s authors hypothesized that clementine oil’s potential benefits for skin health and wound recovery led them to this conclusion.
What are the adverse effects of clementines?
It has been discovered through research that clementines possess furanocoumarins, a substance that is also present in grapefruit and has the potential to interfere with some drugs for the heart. For instance, furanocoumarins can increase the effectiveness of statins in decreasing cholesterol but also produce serious problems. Because of this, those who use statins ought to reduce their consumption of clementines as much as possible. In addition, furanocoumarins have the potential to interact negatively with other medication classes. Have a conversation with your physician about the possibility of drug interactions involving clementines and any medicines you use. When it comes to the consumption of clementines and other types of citrus fruits, a particular group may need to exercise caution.
According to the findings of a study that was published in 2016, clementines, grapefruit, and several other citrus fruits carry enzymes that have the potential to combine with some drugs. According to an older study published in 2013, these enzymes have the potential to come into contact with more than 85 different medications and further than forty of these interactions has the potential to result in serious side consequences. Immunosuppressants, drugs for the heart, and chemotherapy drugs are just a few examples of the classes of drugs that may have an adverse reaction when combined with citrus enzymes.
According to the analysis done in 2013, some of the most severe negative consequences include bleeding in the gastrointestinal tract, breathing difficulties, and depletion of bone marrow. If a person is currently on medicine, they should inquire with their physician or pharmacist about whether or not it is safe for them to have citrus fruits.
Tips for eating the fruit
Clementines that have reached their full maturity have a vibrant orange color and a potent citrus scent. They ought to have skin that is tender, somewhat thin, and simple to peel. Clementines are so versatile that they can be eaten as a snack all by themselves, or they can be included in either sweet or savory meals. Peeling a clementine requires very little effort. When peeling a clementine, just hold one in your palm and begin peeling it from either its crown or the bottom. The rind ought to peel off in 2-3 large pieces with little resistance.
After peeling the fruit, cut it into pieces using a knife. Before consuming the portions or feeding them to a youngster, make sure the seeds have been removed from the fruit if they contain any. The parts of clementines provide a unique addition to salads as well as desserts. On the other hand, they are delicious when eaten on their own as a snack. Even if one clementine might be enough for a child as a snack, the normal amount of fruit that is considered one serving is 2 fruits.
How to Find Clementines?
Clementines are the little, nearly spherical oranges that may be found in most grocery stores. They can be found for a low price in inexpensive crates, cartons, or bags at any time of year, particularly during Christmas. Fruits containing citrus are in their peak season from December through the year, so it makes sense that they would be associated with the winter holidays. Clementines are typically a winter fruit, but due to their increasing popularity, they are now accessible all year round. You may see them branded as “Summer Cuties” throughout the more pleasant months; this denotes that the fruit originated in the Southern Hemisphere.
It’s simple to raise clementines from seed, whether you live in a warm area (zones 9–11) or a cooler region (where the plant is best started inside in containers). For trees in containers, fruit production will be poor, and you might have to pollinate the blossoms manually. Pick clementines with smooth, homogeneous skin that is vibrantly colored and free of any blemishes. If you squeeze the fruit lightly, it should spring back and have a pleasant aroma on the skin. Don’t buy those that feel overly heavy for their size. Clementines should be kept in a cool, dry place, but not in the refrigerator. Clementines shouldn’t be stored in plastic either, just like any other citrus fruit. They will perspire and go bad much more quickly than if they were just left out in a container on the table.
Clementines can be stored for a long time after harvest if they are kept cool and out of the sun.
The Bottom Line
Citrus fruits like clementines fall under this category. They are abundant in a wide variety of micronutrients that are necessary for maintaining good health. Additionally, clementines are the origin of the flavonoids. According to studies, the compounds found in plants may offer a variety of health benefits, including antibacterial, cancer prevention, and cardioprotective characteristics. When it comes to certain individuals, clementines should be consumed with extreme caution. The enzymes found in the fruit may have an adverse effect when combined with certain pharmaceuticals. If an individual is currently on medicine, they should consult with either their physician or their local pharmacist to determine whether or not it is okay for them to consume citrus fruits.
Clementines are a type of citrus fruit that is normally seedless, simple to peel, and quite small in size. For this reason, they are appealing to young children and can assist increase the consumption of fruit by these children. In addition, they are loaded with antioxidants that are beneficial to one’s health, like as vitamin C and beta carotene. On the other hand, because they include furanocoumarin, they may affect the way certain treatments work. Nevertheless, clementines are a tasty and nutritious option for a snack for the vast majority of adults and children.
Sirisha B