Clementine (Citrus clementina)

Clementine (Citrus clementina) is one of the most popular varieties of citrus fruit for home consumption. They are sweet and seedless and have a loose, baggy orange skin that easily peels to reveal bright segments of fruit beneath. They are typically eaten out of hand or added to salads and desserts or dipped in melted chocolate. This fruit is in season from November to January.

A small and easily portable snack, clementines are an excellent source of vitamin C. Vitamin C is a potent antioxidant and immune booster that may help reduce inflammation in the body, which could be linked to several different types of cancer (2, 3). Clementines also contain other vitamins and minerals such as folate and thiamine.

Often referred to as "cuties," "sweeties" or "halos," clementines are very similar to mandarin oranges (Citrus reticulata), but are smaller, sweeter and have a thicker peel. They are a member of the same family as oranges (Citrus sinensis), and share many of the same health benefits.

Like other citrus fruits, clementines are naturally low in calories and contain plenty of fiber and vitamin A. A single clementine can provide 10% of the recommended daily allowance for potassium, which plays an important role in regulating blood pressure and heart rate, as well as maintaining muscle function. However, it is important to note that clementines contain furanocoumarins, which are similar to those found in grapefruit and can interfere with certain medications such as cholesterol-lowering statins (19). Talk to your doctor before adding a new food to your diet.