Tangerines and Nutrition

Not only are they sweet and delicious, but tangerines make for a very healthy snack. Like most fruits, tangerines provide a nutritious alternative to packaged and processed foods, and they’re easy to eat with less mess than a bag of potato chips.

But why are they so healthy, you ask? It’s a combination of the vitamins and minerals found in the tangerine as well as being–like most fruits–a great source of fiber that makes them such an excellent choice for casual snacking. Among many other nutritious attributes, it’s the vitamin C, beta-carotene, folate, and pectin they have in abundance.

Vitamin C, in particular, is widely-acknowledged as an essential nutrient needed by all human beings. All varieties of oranges, including mandarins and the tangerine, are loaded with this vitamin and present a great opportunity for those who either want to ensure they’re getting enough vitamin C or are looking for a vitamin C supplement to their regular diet.

Also present in tangerines is beta-carotene, an organic compound that the body converts into vitamin A, another essential nutrient. Beta-carotene itself is orange in color, and it is present in a number of fruits and vegetables with an orange hue. Everyone needs to consume an adequate amount of beta-carotene, and the tangerine is an excellent source.

Folate is found in tangerines and grapefruits as well. Also known as folacin or, in its synthetic form, folic acid, folate is a water-soluble B-vitamin which aids in protection from cancer and heart disease. In pregnant women, consumption of folic acid is absolutely essential as it is known to decrease the likelihood of birth defects. It also aids in the prevention of stroke. Tangerines are a rich source of folate, and regular consumption of this nutrient provides a whole host of health benefits.

Tangerines also contain pectin. This nutrient is a soluble fiber known for having positive effects on blood cholesterol. In addition to the benefits gained from consumption of folate, the presence of pectin makes it even more likely that those consuming tangerines instead less healthful snack foods will reduce their risk of heart disease.

While these components are not all tangerines have to offer when it comes to nutrition, they are among its most significant contributions as a nutritious food. It is easy to see why eating a tangerine is the way to go when choosing a midday (or midnight) snack. Peeling a piece of fruit is no more messy than tearing off a candy bar wrapper, after all.

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