Nutrition Information On Mandarin Oranges

Mandarin oranges, also called tangerines, are a cholesterol-free, low-fat source of vitamin C. The values below are for one fresh, medium-size mandarin orange, approximately 1.5 inches in diameter, with the peel removed. Dietary Reference Intake (DRI) percentages are for adults under age 50. Percentages will differ for children, teens and older adults.

Calories

One mandarin orange contains 47 calories, nearly all of which come from carbohydrates. The orange contains 11.7 g of carbohydrates and 9.3 g of sugar. The sugar in mandarin oranges is a combination of sucrose, glucose and fructose. The mandarin orange also contains 1.6 g of fiber, which is approximately 6 percent of the DRI for adults.

Fat and Protein

Mandarin oranges contain very little fat or protein. One medium orange contains only 0.27 g of fat and 0.7 g of protein. This protein is a combination of 18 amino acids, although all are present in only trace amounts. Mandarin oranges are cholesterol free.

Minerals

Mandarin oranges provide small amounts of some essential minerals, including 4 percent of the DRI for copper. One medium mandarin orange also supplies 2.6 percent of the DRI for phosphorus, as well as 3.4 percent of the DRI for magnesium for women and 2.6 percent for men. Like many fruits, mandarin oranges provide potassium, which plays an important role in nervous system function, fluid balance and nutrient transport in the body. One medium mandarin orange provides 7.3 percent of the DRI for this mineral.

Water-soluble Vitamins

Like other varieties of oranges, mandarin oranges provide a significant amount of vitamin C, which is essential for immune function, iron absorption and tissue growth. One mandarin orange supplies 26 percent of the DRI for vitamin C for men and 31 percent for women. Mandarin oranges also supply smaller amounts of the water-soluble B vitamins, with one orange providing 5.3 percent of the DRI for B-6, 3.8 percent of pantothenic acid and 3.5 percent of folate. One mandarin supplies 4.6 percent of the DRI of thiamin for women and 4.2 percent for men.

Fat-soluble Vitamins

While mandarin oranges are high in water-soluble vitamin C, they provide very little of any of the fat-soluble vitamins. One medium orange provides only 4.2 percent of the DRI of vitamin A for women and 3.3 percent for men. One orange provides even less vitamin E, supplying only 1.2 percent of the DRI. Mandarin oranges do not contain any vitamin K or vitamin D.