Although mandarins contain almost half as much vitamin C as oranges, this winter fruit has a unique advantage — high cobalt content. Why it is needed and what other beneficial properties mandarins have were explained by therapist and nutritionist Ekaterina Burlyaeva.
For the Nervous System...
— Mandarins significantly surpass oranges and lemons in cobalt content. This mineral helps normalize the functioning of the nervous system, improves the transmission of impulses along nerve fibers, reduces irritability, and has a calming effect. For other vitamins and minerals, which are abundant in mandarins — B vitamins, vitamin C, potassium, sodium, silicon — the differences with other citrus fruits are not as noticeable.
It is also worth mentioning the xanthines found in mandarins. These antioxidants protect the body's cells from free radicals. Xanthines activate energy and metabolic processes in cells, allowing for quicker processing of calories obtained from food. Thus, it can be said that xanthines slow down the aging processes and help avoid weight gain.
...and for Blood Vessels
Xanthines are found in the flesh of mandarins, while the white fibers that we often discard during peeling, as well as the membranes, contain another beneficial compound — hesperidin. This substance positively affects the vascular wall (not coincidentally, preparations with hesperidin are prescribed for venous insufficiency), promotes the normalization of blood microcirculation, and improves tissue trophism by providing them with necessary nutrients. Additionally, hesperidin has well-studied antitumor effects and may prevent tumor metastasis.
Moreover, the transparent membranes and white fibers of mandarins contain pectins — dietary fibers that help improve the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract.
How Much to Eat?
A healthy person is recommended to consume 200-250 g of citrus fruits per day. However, it should be remembered that mandarins can cause allergic reactions, especially with excessive consumption. Even if there is no allergy to one mandarin, consuming a large quantity (for example, half a kilogram at once) may trigger it. Therefore, it is better to adhere to moderation.
