The tangerine is a small citrus fruit that's related to the mandarin orange. The deep orange skin of the tangerine is loose and easily peeled, and the fruit is divided into segments, making it perfect for snacking. Tangerine cultivation primarily takes place in the southern regions of Europe and the United States. This fruit provides a variety of beneficial nutrients.
Vitamin C
A tangerine provides 23.5 mg of vitamin C, or 39 percent of the amount the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommends consuming daily. Incorporating vitamin C food sources into your daily diet is important. This vitamin is water soluble, and you must consume the required amount each day to stay healthy. Vitamin C helps to build collagen, a constituent of skin necessary for the repair and generation of new skin tissue. The nutrient also protects your tissues and organs from free radicals, which are harmful byproducts of your metabolism that can cause premature aging and disease if they are left unchecked.
Fiber
A tangerine contains 1.6 grams of fiber, or 6 percent of the 25 grams that are required daily. Fiber is important because it supports regular elimination, provides bulk that satisfies hunger (and minimizes overeating) and binds with excess cholesterol in the digestive tract to prevent its absorption into the bloodstream, where it can contribute to cardiovascular disease.
Vitamin A
One tangerine provides 599 IU, or 12 percent of the 5,000 IU required each day. Vitamin A is nutrient that concentrates in the retina of the eye and supports healthy vision. This vitamin also ensures that the mucosal lining of the nose, throat and digestive tract provides a sufficient barrier against harmful bacteria, viruses and fungi that can cause infections.
Water
The juice in a tangerine is 85 percent water. Replacing lost fluids throughout the day is important to maintain healthy blood pressure and to flush toxins from the body that are produced by normal metabolic processes. Consuming liquids is also important during and after exercise and outdoors in warm weather, when sweating reduces the body's water supply.
Glycemic Score
The glycemic score for the tangerine, which measures the fruit's effect on blood sugar, is low and will not cause sudden increases in blood glucose. Including low-glycemic foods in the diet is important to avoid overstimulation of the insulin secretion process, which can eventually lead to pre-diabetic conditions.
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