Usually eaten solo or along with other fruits in a salad, Mandarin orange is a rather small citrus fruit that resembles other popular oranges. This sweet and juicy fruit is harvested during the winter season, and its beneficial nature has come into light thanks to its exotic looks, sweet taste, and high-demand. Yes, it is hard to avoid the benefits that a citrus filled fruit can have on your health as well as on your beauty, in fact, let’s discuss some of its health benefits right now:
1. Decreases Cholesterol
Synephrine, a chemical produced after eating Mandarin oranges is responsible for inhibiting the production of bad cholesterol in your body. Moreover, the presence of a high quantity of antioxidants helps in increasing their effectiveness in doing so. The antioxidants are responsible for attacking the free radicals before they combine with the cholesterol and stick to the artery walls.
2. Rich Source Of Vitamin C
It must not come as a surprise when we write that mandarins are actually high on Vitamin C that is responsible for contributing to some of its other benefits. Vitamin C is a type of antioxidant that helps in fighting a number of free radicals, thus reducing the risk of you contracting any aging concerns.
3. Strengthens Immune System
Again one of the benefits of Mandarin oranges that is contributed by the presence of vitamin C, which is quite essential for the proper functioning of your immune system as it acts as a natural blood purifier further resulting in the expulsion of toxins.
Vitamin C is a water-soluble vitamin that is also a crucial antioxidant that helps wounds to heal faster and in the repairing of damaged tissues.
4. Decreases Blood Pressure
The minerals such as potassium, which are present in citrus fruits such as mandarins, are responsible for reversing the effects of salt in your bloodstream and help maintain healthy blood pressure levels. The presence of a high level of salt in our blood stream makes it difficult for the excess water to leave your cells, hence, intake of minerals such as potassium helps by balancing out the effects of salt and aids in the removal of the excess water, resulting in the decrease in blood pressure.
5. Weight Loss
Another quite fascinating fact about mandarins is that they are rich with fiber. These fibers are harder to digest, and when ingested, they keep you filled for a longer period of time and prevent you from over-eating, thus maintaining your calorie intake and resulting in weight loss.
Also Read: Super Foods To Reduce Belly Fat | Best Diet To Shed Tummy Flab
6. Helpful In Pregnancy
Considered to be rich in folic acids or folate (a vitamin B complex), mandarins also benefit the developing fetus. These vitamin B complexes are important for the development of the neural tube and red blood cells in the fetus that is in its prenatal phase. Thus, the deficiency of these complexes in the diet of a pregnant woman can result in the birth of an underweight infant or infant with a neural disability.
7. Boosts Brain’s Functioning
Loaded with vitamin B6 and other components such as folate, potassium, and antioxidants such as vitamin C are responsible for providing neurological benefits associated with the consumption of these oranges. Minerals such as potassium correspond with low blood pressure and increased blood flow to the brain in order to enhance its neural activity and cognitive ability. Moreover, vitamin B complexes are known to reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s disease.
Apart from all the health benefits associated with adequate consumption of this vitamin C filled fruit that has resulted in its popularity, what turns it into a universally beneficial food item is its beauty benefits.
Some of the mandarin orange’s beauty benefits are:
8. Skin Health
Whether it consumed internally or applied over the skin, Vitamin C is quite beneficial for your skin’s health. Glowing and radiant skin is one of the benefits that you might experience. When applied over the skin, the mandarin juice forms a thin layer that protects our skin from the harmful UV rays of the sun, and in addition to that, the antioxidants present in mandarins are responsible for the preventing your skin cells from getting damaged by the free-radicles, thus it reduces the onset of signs of aging.
Also Read: Difference Between Orange And Mosambi Fruit
9. Provides Natural Glow To The Skin
As has already come to light, mandarin oranges are quite rich in dietary fibers, which in turn are responsible for relieving your body of all the toxins, this leaving behind a natural glow on your skin.
10. Healthy Hair Growth
The antioxidant-rich mandarin juice, when applied to your hair, gives it a nice shiny characteristic and bounce as well. Vitamin C is quite beneficial for your hair follicles as they help in nourishing your scalp and removes the blockage, which further helps in the growth of a healthy set of hair. It is important to note that since the mandarin juice is strong, it must be mixed alongside other essential hair oils.
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Side-Effects Of Mandarins
Though the list of side-effects on your health due to heavy consumption of mandarins is not as long as its benefits, it is important to know them as they might play a key role in setting up your dietary chart. Since mandarins are a good source of vitamin C and are also quite loaded with dietary fibers, you must keep track of its intake as both of these nutrients can have adverse effects.
Some of the side-effects associated with mandarins are:
1. Excess Of Vitamin C
Apart from its beneficial nature which includes its ability to aid in weight loss and strengthening of your immune system, too much vitamin C can have an equally adverse effect on your health. Excessive ingestion of vitamin C, due to its acidic nature, can lead to acid reflux, thus causing an irritating sensation in your food pipe.
2. Weight Gain
This must come to you as no surprise, for mandarins, rich in vitamin C, are also equally loaded with dietary fibers. If there is one property of fibers that make them stand apart, it’s the difficulty of digesting them. The fibers are responsible for keeping you filled for a longer period of time and prevent you from overeating. However, a heavy intake of fiber can further complicate things and instead of losing, you’ll end up gaining some kilos.
How To Prepare A Healthy Glassful Of Mandarin Juice
One of the most popular ways of consumption of mandarins is in the form of a sweet glassful of mandarin juice. In order to prepare a delicious, sweet and beneficial glass of mandarin juice, the very first step includes peeling of the mandarins, which is done by firstly removing the top and bottom part of its skin and then slowly moving the knife across a vertical line, thus exposing the inner flesh of the fruit.
The ingredients required for the preparation of mandarin juice are:
- 5-6 big mandarins (peeled)
- 1 lemon (for taste)
- A few ice cubes
The sweet mandarin juice along with its pulp is mixed with lemon in order to enhance its tangy flavor and is often served chilled or along with ice cubes. But, howsoever you choose to drink it, its benefits and tangy taste will definitely make your day.
What’s The Need?
On the final note, the need to eat mandarins on a regular basis is based on your need for the vitamin C filled and fiber loaded diet. Mandarins are citrus fruits that have multiple health benefits ranging from reducing the risk of cancer to weight loss, and not to forget its various advantages related to your skin’s health.
Keeping it short, we would say that the addition of mandarins into your diet will not only help in living a healthy lifestyle but it would also give you a fresh and active look that you have been looking for. So, what are you waiting for?
