Introduction to Clementines
Clementines, also known by their brand names Cuties or Halos, are like the orange’s smaller, sweeter cousins. These tiny citrus fruits are easy to peel, are usually seedless, and are in peak season from October to January. A clementine has only 35 calories but provides 36.1 mg of vitamin C – almost 40% of what you need daily for optimal health.
Immune System Benefits
Vitamin C is an essential nutrient, meaning your body can’t make it, so you have to get it from food. It is a powerhouse for your immune system, helping to destroy infectious microbes while protecting your tissues from damage. Research shows that a regular intake of sufficient vitamin C can help reduce the severity and duration of cold and flu symptoms. However, there is little evidence that taking vitamin C when you are already sick speeds recovery. Therefore, consistency is important when consuming clementines.
Skin Health Benefits
The benefits are not limited to immunity. Vitamin C is also crucial for collagen, the protein that keeps your skin firm, plump, and smooth. Maintaining adequate collagen levels can reduce fine lines, prevent skin sagging, and even speed up wound healing. Clementines are also rich in other antioxidants like flavonoids, which can fight inflammation, calm redness, and relieve skin conditions like acne or rosacea. With their high water content, these juicy snacks can help keep skin hydrated and prevent dryness and flaking.
Brain Health Benefits
Clementines contain bioactive compounds such as polyphenols, which have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties and help protect the brain from damage. Studies in animals have shown that citrus fruit supplementation improves learning and memory deficits, particularly spatial memory, which helps us remember where we put things, and recognition memory, which is crucial for face and name recall. Clementines are also a rich source of hesperidin, a bioflavonoid with antioxidant properties that may help reduce inflammation, improve blood flow to the brain, and support overall brain cell health.
Additional Health Benefits
Clementines contain folic acid and thiamine, two B vitamins that are vital to your body and support everything from cell development to healthy metabolism. With their high water content and fiber, these snacks can help keep skin hydrated, prevent dryness and flaking, and support digestion, gut health, and weight management. Daily consumption of citrus fruits such as clementines could reduce the risk of developing dementia in older adults by almost 15%. They might even improve your mood, as people who ate a daily serving of citrus fruit had about a 20% lower risk of developing depression.
Important Considerations
Some research has shown that clementines also contain furanocoumarins, which may interfere with certain medications, including cholesterol-lowering statins, and potentially cause complications. For safety reasons, experts recommend checking with your doctor or pharmacist about possible drug interactions before adding large amounts of citrus fruits to your daily diet.
