Mandarin: Benefits and Harms for Human Health

A favorite citrus fruit for both adults and children, the mandarin orange originated in China. It later reached Japan and spread throughout the European part of the Eurasian continent. It has been cultivated in Europe relatively recently, only since the 19th century. Despite this, the mandarin's benefits and dangers are well known to people around the world.

Varieties grown in different regions differ in appearance, fruit size, peel color, and flavor. The mandarin remains the leader among all other citrus fruits: lemons are sour, grapefruits are bitter, and only the mandarin is consistently sweet and aromatic.

Just thirty years ago, enjoying these juicy, aromatic fruits was only possible during the New Year holidays. Today, thanks to their widespread cultivation, tangerines are available year-round.

Properties and chemical composition of mandarin

The fruit of the evergreen rue tree is small, averaging 5-6 cm in diameter, and shaped like a sphere flattened on both sides. Depending on the variety, the size can vary, as can the appearance of the peel—from glossy bright orange to bumpy orange-yellow.

Species diversity also implies differences in flavor. Mandarins native to Abkhazia are renowned for their light orange skin and sweet-sour flavor. Turkish fruits have yellow skin and a slightly sour taste, but are almost seedless. "Spanish" varieties have large-pored skins and are often distinguished by a green stem, sweetness, and an abundance of seeds inside.

The fruit consists of segments, usually around 10. Some varieties peel easily, while others require more painstaking work. However, in all cases, peeling a tangerine leaves an incomparable aroma in the air. The peel's aroma is due to its composition, which is rich in essential oils, sugars, vitamins, and organic acids.

The fruit itself is valuable not only for its taste and aroma. Its undeniable advantage is its invaluable chemical composition, rich in vitamins, dietary fiber, organic acids, saccharides, pectins, phytoncides, and flavonoids.

The fruit contains vitamins PP, A, E, and the B group, and, as with all citrus fruits, vitamin C occupies a leading position. The fruit's color is due to the presence of large amounts of beta-carotene, and the brighter the peel, the more vitamin it contains.

Important components of the fruit are the carotenoids lutein and zeaxanthin. These substances are essential for maintaining eye function and visual acuity.

The southern fruit is very rich in microelements: it contains an abundance of calcium, phosphorus, iron, potassium, and sodium.

Health benefits of tangerine

Citrus fruits, including tangerines, are a true treasure trove. Their health benefits become especially evident in the fall and winter, when colds and viral infections are more prevalent. But the importance of consuming them at other times of the year is also undeniable.

General beneficial properties

This small, juicy fruit is beneficial for many illnesses and disorders. The fruit or its peel are indicated as a therapeutic and preventative remedy, possessing antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, restorative and tonic, antispasmodic, antitumor, cleansing, and regenerative properties:

1. Essential oil reduces pain and spasms. It is used in the production of analgesics, which effectively combat pain.
2. It serves as an antioxidant, blocks inflammatory processes and removes free radicals, thanks to the presence of a large amount of vitamin C.

   

3. It has a complex effect on the gastrointestinal tract. Mandarin is used to treat gastritis and diarrhea, flatulence, and appetite disorders. The dietary fiber it contains has a beneficial effect on intestinal function, restoring intestinal microflora and normalizing bowel movements.
4. Fights cancer. In alternative medicine, mandarin essential oil and the fruit itself activate anti-cancer agents and inhibit the proliferation of malignant cells.
5. Serves as an antiseptic and antibacterial agent. Tangerines help fight sepsis and inhibit the growth of microbes in food.
6. Relieves nervous tension. Citrus essential oil reduces anxiety, combats depression, normalizes sleep, and increases stress resistance.

   

7. Removes toxins, uric acid and salts, reduces cholesterol levels thanks to pectin and hemicellulose.
8. It serves as an excellent diuretic, alleviates inflammation of the genitourinary system and removes salts and stones from the kidneys and bladder.
9. It not only helps cure respiratory diseases, but also prevents their occurrence and speeds up rehabilitation after recovery.
10. When applied externally, it fights fungal infections.
11. Increases the body's tone and has a beneficial effect on cell and tissue regeneration.

For the male body

In addition to its overall positive effects on the body, tangerines are a highly beneficial food for men. The substances they contain have a beneficial effect on sperm motility, potency, and libido. Furthermore, the fruit increases stamina in men, stabilizes the nervous system, and improves physical strength.

For women

Mandarin oranges are especially beneficial for women. Regular consumption of the fruit can help normalize the menstrual cycle and ease its flow.

Citrus fruits are not prohibited during pregnancy unless there are direct medical contraindications. Eating several citrus fruits a day will help saturate the body with ascorbic acid and beneficial microelements and reduce swelling. The fruit's beneficial effects on the skin will reduce the risk of stretch marks. Excessive consumption of citrus fruits during pregnancy and after childbirth can trigger allergic reactions in the baby, so moderation is key.

A particularly valuable property for women is the mandarin's ability to combat signs of aging and moisturize the skin. This is possible thanks to its high concentration of vitamins A and C. Frequent use of the fruit makes skin smooth, eliminates acne, other skin rashes, fine wrinkles, and protects against negative environmental factors.

Such an unpleasant phenomenon as thrush, familiar to many, can be treated by using freshly squeezed tangerine juice externally.

The fruit is also beneficial as part of a diet. It can help you lose weight, but only if you're physically active and include protein in your diet.

Harm and contraindications to the consumption of tangerine

The apparent safety of tangerines can be deceptive. Their consumption is contraindicated in certain medical conditions, and use is permitted only after consultation with a doctor. These conditions include:

• Gastric and duodenal ulcers in the acute stage. Since tangerines increase acidity, they can further irritate inflamed mucous membranes;
• nephritis;
• hepatitis;
• cholecystitis.

Excessive consumption of citrus fruits can trigger persistent allergic reactions, accompanied by rash, itching, and fever. This condition is difficult to treat and prevents further consumption of any citrus fruits.

Hypervitaminosis is another possible consequence of overuse. The desire to stock up on vitamins can negatively impact gastrointestinal function, triggering diarrhea and decreased hemoglobin levels.

Use in food

No matter what beneficial properties the fruit's extracts, peel, and oil may have, people value it primarily for its incomparable taste.

Calorie content of tangerine

Mandarin oranges are a dietary product. The average calorie content per 100 grams of pulp is approximately 45. While this can vary depending on the variety, it rarely falls below 38 kcal and never rises above 52 kcal.

The fruit's sweet taste doesn't make it incompatible with a slim figure. Thanks to its fiber, dietary fiber, and pectin, it effectively combats excess weight. Flavonols, which are effective anti-obesity substances, also contribute to this.

The product's effectiveness is due to its nitrate-free nature, as citric acid prevents harmful components from penetrating the fruit's structure.

The healthiest recipes

Juicy citrus fruits are delicious fresh, as a component of dishes, in sauces, and preserved. The following recipes are especially beneficial:

1. Adults will appreciate a tangerine tincture made with vodka. This easy-to-make drink not only has an energizing effect but also a bright, pleasant aroma. To prepare, you'll need washed and dried mandarin peels and high-quality vodka. The peels are steeped in the spirit and left to infuse in a dark place for up to two weeks.

   

   

   This is not only a pleasant alcoholic drink, but also a remedy for certain illnesses: if you dilute 25 drops of the tincture with water and take it three times a day, you can get rid of pneumonia or bronchitis, as well as problems with digestion and appetite.

2. Mandarin orange jam with its peel looks very unusual and impresses with its taste. Whole mandarins should be thoroughly washed and soaked in cold water overnight to remove the bitterness from the peels. The soaked fruit should be pierced in several places with a sharp object (a toothpick or fork), and if desired, star cloves can be inserted into the punctures.

   

   A syrup made from water and sugar is poured over the tangerines overnight and left to steep. In the morning, the fruit and syrup are simmered for 20 minutes over a low heat and then left to cool. This simmering process is repeated for four consecutive days, during which time the syrup thickens and the fruit darkens. At this point, the jam is ready to eat.

3. Candied tangerine peels are a wonderful treat for both adults and children. Soak the peels in water for three days, changing the liquid frequently. Then, chop the peels and simmer for about 10 minutes. Make a sugar syrup from 400 ml of water and one and a half to two kilograms of sugar, then soak the peels for 24 hours. Then drain the syrup, boil again, and repeat the process 3-4 times. The finished sweets should be dried and can be enjoyed as a sweet treat.

   

   

Frequently asked questions about growing

The small, bright, and juicy mandarin is no longer in short supply. Yet, its presence on store shelves remains the most important sign of the approaching winter holidays. A delightful taste, a pleasant aroma, and a wealth of beneficial properties are the main qualities of this beloved citrus fruit among children and adults.

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