Crazy About Clementines: Benefits of the Fruit
By Brandi Swieter
Oranges are a popular breakfast fruit. However, they're often difficult to peel. If you're in a hurry, you're more likely to skip the orange and grab a granola bar or other easily-opened food instead. Clementines provide the taste and nutrition of an orange with an easier to peel shell. They may be smaller in size, but they still have a lot to offer.
Vitamin C
Just like oranges, one of the biggest benefits of a clementine is all of the Vitamin C it contains. Just one provides 60 percent of the recommended daily value. Vitamin C boosts immunity, helps to cure sickness, and repairs tissues. It's a very necessary component of overall health that most people need more of in their diet.
Fiber
A lot of options for fiber seem to come from vegetables. Clementines are a source as well. One clementine provides at least 1.3 grams of dietary fiber. That's already 5 percent of the daily value recommended for people to have. Soluble fiber helps to protect against heart disease while insoluble fiber aids in digestion. Many foods, including clementines, provide both types.
Potassium
Potassium is yet another nutrient found in clementines. At 3 percent of the daily value, one clementine already makes a significant step toward helping people reach their goal. There's 131 milligrams of potassium in just one of these small fruits. The mineral balances out salt intake to lower blood pressure.
Calcium
Twenty-two milligrams of calcium are found in one clementine. Though this isn't an incredibly large amount, it is still worthwhile. It counts as something toward the recommended daily intake dietitians suggest. Those who struggle with drinking milk or eating yogurt can use clementines as another source.
Few Calories
Attempts at weight loss often result in the need for low-calorie snacks. Clementines fit the bill well. One clementine contains just 35 calories. It's an ideal snack for anyone looking to get in shape. Those who still feel hungry can even eat a second without feeling guilty. With few calories and a small size, a couple of clementines at snack time will do just the trick to curb hunger and boost nutrition.
Eating foods that provide benefits to the body is the most sensible thing a person can do. Why waste time on unhealthy snacks that offer no nutrition when clementines and other options exist? These fruits and others offer a big boost in nutrition and vitamins that help to heal the body and make it run efficiently.
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Myrtle Beach, S.C.