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Tangerines; Types, Nutritional Value, Recipes, Health Benefits

Tangerines are a variety of citrus fruits and closely related to oranges. They distinguished from oranges by their smaller size, loose, easily peelable skin (pericarp) and more sweeter juicy flesh (arils). They are also known as mandarin oranges in Europe. In Japan, a closely related seedless variety of mandarins known as Unshu mikan or satsuma mandarin grown in abundance in Kagoshima prefecture. Just as in oranges, mandarins also belong to the Rutaceae (Citrus Family) and known scientifically as Citrus reticulata.[1]

Nutritional Value of Tangerines

Nutritional Value per 100 g (3.5 oz)
Energy	223 kJ (53 kcal)

Carbohydrates	13.34 g
Sugars	10.58 g
Dietary fiber	1.8 g

Fat	0.31 g

Protein	0.81 g

Vitamins	Quantity%DV^†
Vitamin A equiv. beta-Carotene	4% 34 μg 1% 155 μg
Thiamine (B1)	5% 0.058 mg
Riboflavin (B2)	3% 0.036 mg
Niacin (B3)	3% 0.376 mg
Pantothenic acid (B5)	4% 0.216 mg
Vitamin B6	6% 0.078 mg
Folate (B9)	4% 16 μg
Choline	2% 10.2 mg
Vitamin C	32% 26.7 mg
Vitamin E	1% 0.2 mg

Minerals	Quantity%DV^†
Calcium	4% 37 mg
Iron	1% 0.15 mg
Magnesium	3% 12 mg
Manganese	2% 0.039 mg
Phosphorus	3% 20 mg
Potassium	4% 166 mg
Sodium	0% 2 mg
Zinc	1% 0.07 mg

Other constituents	Quantity
Water	85.2 g
Link to USDA Database entry
[4]
^†Percentages are roughly approximated using US recommendations for adults. Source: USDA Nutrient Database

Benefits of Tangerine

Rich Antioxidants Prevent Inflammation – Oranges are naturally a great source of Vitamins for the human body. And so are the Tangerines, with their rich Vitamin C sources providing the perfect antioxidants required for the body (2). These antioxidants prevent inflammation in the body. They are known to prevent the formation of free radicals that make unnecessary oxidation reactions possible which may not be beneficial for the body.
Fights Skin Diseases & Arthritis – The tangerine fruit has been used quite frequently in medical treatments as they fight effectively against skin diseases and arthritis.
Heals Cuts & Wounds – They help in healing minor cuts and wounds (3).Absorbs Iron From Food. They also help to absorb iron from food very easily (4).
Restricts Cholesterol Absorption – Tangerine consists of fibers like pectin and hemicellulose that restrict the absorption of cholesterol in the gut which cuts the risk of obesity (5).
Improves Digestion & Prevents Chronic Diseases – The dietary fiber in this fruit also improves digestion that is good for the overall working of the body (6). Also, a number of chronic diseases such as cancer and heart diseases can be prevented with proper consumption of tangerines and other orange varieties.
High Fiber Content Eases Bowel Movements – The high fiber content also benefits the bowel movement in your body for which it is preferred and suggested by experts (7).
Cures Sepsis – Sepsis is a dreaded infection and the Staphylococcus aureus usually causes sepsis. Sepsis can lead to reddened wounds, swelling, pus formation, and acute pain. If you don’t take care, sepsis can spread to other parts of your body. Sepsis is prevalent in young children and babies as their low immunity is conducive to bacteria. Tangerine essential oil is a strong antiseptic and bactericide that eliminates the Staphylococcus aureus bacterium.
Enhances Cell Division – A prophylactic is an agent that boosts cellular production and enhances cell division, also stimulating the growth of new cells. Boosted cell production not only promotes general growth in your body but also helps repair regular wear and tear of the body. Tangerine essential oil is an effective prophylactic.
Depurative – A blood-purifying agent is also known as a depurative. Tangerine essential oil is an effective depurative. The oil helps to purge your body of excess uric acid, extra salt, pollutants, and water through the excretory system.
Sedative – Tangerine essential oil has sedative properties. It helps overcome inflammation and reduces hyperactivity in your circulatory, digestive, nervous and excretory systems. Tangerine essential oil helps reduce inflammation and helps ease fever, anxiety, stress, and even depression. The sedative properties make it an effective agent against insomnia as well.
Stomachic – Tangerine essential oil helps ease gastric troubles like flatulence and helps release excess gas from the system. It helps maintain the proper digestive juice flow and the balance between excess acid and bile. The essential oil also helps cure stomach wounds and soothes inflammation.
Antispasmodic – Spasms can be mild to severe and may have many complications and negative effects on your body. They can affect the respiratory, digestive and nervous systems and cause problems in breathing, causing congestion and asthma. Spasms can also lead to diarrhea, cholera, and even nervous system disorders. Tangerine essential oil is an effective antispasmodic agent and helps relieve spasms.
Tonic – A tonic helps fortify and tone your bodily functions. Tangerine essential oil is an effective tonic, and it stimulates metabolic activity, induces digestion and promotes the absorption of nutrients by the liver, stomach, and intestines. The essential oil improves your immunity, regulates secretions of the endocrine system and promotes nervous system health. Tangerine essential oil helps you fight infections.
Digestive – Tangerine essential oil is an effective digestive agent. Being a tonic that stimulates digestion, its digestive properties make tangerine essential oil excellent for the stomach. So, the next time you end up gorging on food, you might want to try some tangerine essential oil.
Treats Skin Conditions & Delays Signs of Aging – Tangerine is a good source of vitamin A (8). If you are suffering from any skin diseases, such as acne, pimple, you are encouraged to have plenty of vitamin A and apply products that are derivatives of the vitamin. Hence tangerine can be a good option for treating these skin problems. When it comes to healing wounds and other damages to the skin, vitamin A is essential for these, since it helps the skin rebuild tissues. If you wish to control or remove any skin aging symptoms such as fine lines, wrinkles, dull skin at bay, vitamin A can be a great help due to its anti-aging properties.
Offers Smooth & Youthful Skin – Vitamin C present in Tangerine is also an amazing antioxidant nutrient that helps to lower the aging process. In addition, antioxidant protects the skin from free radicals. Thus, it prevents the chance of certain cancers (9). If you want to maintain a smooth and youthful skin, then vitamin C can help since it stimulates the production of collagen in your skin and collagen is the protein responsible for making your skin supple.
Facial Mask For Brighter Skin – Here we suggest a homemade tangerine facial mask that can be applied to get a brighter skin. In addition, this mask will help you to remove extra oil and harmful bacteria, leaving the skin soft, fresh and blemish free (10). Take 3 or 4 slices of a tangerine. Discard the seeds. Blend them well and mix one tablespoon each of yogurt and honey with the juice. Apply to the face and neck. Leave it for 10-20 minutes. Rinse it off with cold water. Apply this mask twice in a week for oily skin and one for normal to dry skin.
Vitamin A Helps To Moisturize The Sebum In The Scalp – One of the most important vitamins for health is vitamin A (11). Its antioxidant properties work to condition and moisturize the sebum in the scalp. Antioxidants also fight against pollution that weighs down your hair and makes it weaker.
Promotes Hair Growth & Delays Hair Greying – Vitamin B12 reduces hair loss, promotes hair growth, and slows down the graying process (12).
Source of Healthy & Shiny Hair – As mentioned earlier, vitamin C helps to build collagen which is crucial for hair growth. Vitamin C also assists in breaking down iron, another source of healthy hair, so that your body can absorb it. You can apply tangerine juice with your hair oil to get a healthy and shiny hair.