While small, tangerines have many health benefits that you might not realize at first. Not only do they contain vitamins that the body needs, such as vitamins A and C, they are also a good source of fiber. So, the next time you want to add some citrus fruit to your diet, do not forget about the tiny tangerine.
Here are some of the many health benefits of this wonderful and delicious citrus fruit.
Reduces the Risk of Cancer
Tangerines contain a high concentration of Phyto-compounds, which can help keep your body cancer-free. The antioxidant nature of tangerines are also work great in preventing the mutation of the normal cells in your body and the replication of the cells that can cause cancer, keeping down the growth of tumors.
Improves Heart Health
Another area that tangerines can help is heart health in the body. Various substances in tangerines contribute to this, including fiber, vitamins C and B6, and potassium. Potassium in particular is crucial in lowering the risk of congestive heart failure resulting from ischemic heart disease.
Good Source of Fiber
The fiber content in tangerines is also good for your digestion, helping to promote healthy bowel movements. The amount of fiber you need daily depends on your gender, with women needing about 38 grams of fiber and men needing about 25 grams.
Good for Blood Pressure
The potassium in tangerines, coupled with its low sodium content works wonders in reducing high blood pressure. In fact, a large tangerine can contain up to 199 milligrams of potassium in comparison to only 2.4 milligrams of sodium. This combination helps the blood vessels relax, leading to lower blood pressure.
Keeps Skin and Hair Vibrant
The vitamin C contained in tangerines also helps your body maintain its supply of collagen. Collagen is an important protein found in the skin or hair. In addition, the vitamin A in tangerines helps to keep your hair and skin moisturized through the increased production of sebum.
A Great Source of Folate
The folate in tangerines is effective in helping to prevent birth defects in babies. Most often these defects are in the form of low weight at birth and neural tube defects, such as spina bifida. Folate helps prevent such defects by helping in the formation of the neural tube and red blood cells in prenatal babies.
Source of Antioxidants
Tangerines are effective in helping your body fight infections. Moreover, a large tangerine contains 53 percent of the daily requirement of vitamin C, a natural antioxidant that helps the body resist infection. Vitamin C has also been shown to be effective in reducing free radicals in the body, which can lead to the cancer.
Improves Cognitive Function
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The folate, potassium, and antioxidants in tangerines help with the cognitive functioning of your mind. This is in the form of reduced occurrence of Alzheimer’s disease. The potassium in tangerines has been linked to increased blood flow to the brain which helps with concentration and other mental activities.
Eating tangerines is just one of the many ways that you can stay healthy. Coupled with eating other foods rich in fiber and the daily recommendation of vitamins you need are crucial in maintaining a healthy body. Plus, they are delicious and their small size makes them easy to carry around.
