Clementines
are rich in antioxidants like vitamin C, which can help improve your skin’s
health and appearance. They can also help boost your fiber intake.
Plus,
given that they appeal to children, they promote fruit consumption in this age
group.
Rich in
antioxidants
Clementines
are rich in antioxidants, which help reduce inflammation
and prevent cellular damage caused by free radicals. As such, antioxidants can
play a role in preventing type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and many other
conditions.
Along
with vitamin C, these fruits contain a number of other citrus antioxidants,
including hesperidin, narirutin, and beta carotene.
Beta carotene is a precursor to vitamin A,
usually found in orange and red plant foods. This powerful antioxidant promotes
healthy cell growth and sugar metabolism.
According
to some animal and test-tube studies, the citrus antioxidant hesperidin is
highly anti-inflammatory, but more human research is needed.
Lastly,
some animal and test-tube studies have found that narirutin can help improve
mental health and may potentially help treat Alzheimer’s disease. Nevertheless,
more research in humans is needed.
May boost
skin health
Your skin
naturally contains large amounts of vitamin C, as this vitamin aids the
synthesis of collagen — the protein complex that gives
your skin its firmness, plumpness, and structure.
That
means that getting plenty of vitamin C in your diet can help ensure your body
makes enough collagen to keep your skin looking healthy and potentially
younger, as adequate collagen levels can reduce the appearance of wrinkles.
The
antioxidant activity of vitamin C can also reduce inflammation and help reverse
free radical damage, which may help improve acne, redness, and discoloration.
Can
increase your fiber intake
Although
one clementine contains just 1 gram of fiber, snacking on a few throughout the day is
an easy and delicious way to boost your fiber intake.
Fruit
fiber serves as food for the good bacteria in your gut. It also bulks up and
softens your stool to decrease constipation, potentially preventing conditions
like diverticular disease, which can occur if digested food gets trapped in
polyps in the digestive tract.
Fruit
fiber may also help lower your cholesterol levels by binding with dietary
cholesterol and preventing its absorption into your bloodstream.
Moreover,
fiber from fruit has been linked to a decreased risk of type 2 diabetes, while
high fiber intake is associated with a healthier body weight.
Promotes
fruit consumption in children
Clementines
are small, easy to peel, sweet, and usually seedless, making them a perfect snack for children.
In fact,
most branded clementines are marketed toward young children and their parents
as a way to boost fruit intake.
This is
important, as according to the National Cancer Institute, only about one-third
of children in the United States eats enough fruit. Research shows that eating
insufficient fruits and vegetables in childhood can lead to poor eating habits
and poor health in adulthood.
Because
clementines are appealing to children — and usually inexpensive for their
parents — they can help promote fruit intake and healthy eating habits from a
young age.
SUMMARY
Clementines are rich in
antioxidants and fiber and can help improve your skin and gut health. In
addition, they may promote fruit intake among children.
Some
research has found that clementines contain furanocoumarins, a compound also
found in grapefruit that can interact with certain
heart medications.
For
example, furanocoumarins can strengthen cholesterol-lowering statins and cause
severe complications. For this reason, if you take statins, you should limit
your intake of clementines.
In
addition, furanocoumarins can interfere with other classes of drugs. Talk to
your healthcare provider about potential interactions between your medications
and clementines.
SUMMARY
Clementines may interfere with
certain drugs, as similarly to grapefruit, they contain furanocoumarins. If you
have any concerns about drug interactions with clementines, talk to your
healthcare provider.
Clementines
are easy to peel.
Simply
take a clementine in your hand and start peeling it from the top or bottom. The
rind should slide off easily in one or two large pieces.
Once
peeled, separate the fruit into sections. If the sections contain seeds, be
sure to remove them prior to eating them or giving them to a child.
Clementine
sections make an interesting addition to salads and desserts. Alternatively,
they make a perfect snack on their own.
Although
one clementine may be a sufficient snack for a child, a standard serving size is
typically two fruits.
SUMMARY
Clementines peel easily. If the
fruit contains seeds, remove them prior to eating it or giving it to a child.
Clementines
are small, easy to peel, typically seedless, and sweet citrus fruits. As such,
they appeal to young children and can help encourage their fruit intake.
In
addition, they’re packed with health-boosting antioxidants like vitamin C and
beta carotene.
However,
they can interact with certain medications because of their furanocoumarin
content.
Still,
clementines are a fun and healthy snack for most adults and children.
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