What Happens to Your Body When You Eat Clementines Regularly

What Happens to Your Body When You Eat Clementines Regularly

Eating clementines, a type of small, seedless mandarin orange, regularly results in meaningful health benefits. Like other citrus fruits, clementines provide key nutrients, including vitamin C, fiber, and antioxidant phytochemicals (plant compounds that protect cells from damage), which are linked to the prevention of some chronic diseases and some types of cancer.

1. They Boost Your Intake of Vitamin C, Dietary Fiber, and Potassium

Nutritional Information for Two Clementines (148 grams)
 Name  Amount
Calories 70
Protein 1.01 g / 2% DV
Carbohydrates 18.1 g / 6% DV
Fiber 2.96 g / 12% DV
Calcium 40 mg / 4% DV
Potassium 260 mg / 7% DV
Vitamin C 71.9 mg / 120% DV
Abbreviations: grams (g), milligrams (mg), Percent Daily Value (%DV)

2. They Improve Antioxidant Protection and Immune Support

  • Research indicates that citrus flavonoids (special plant compounds), such as those abundant in clementines, have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
  • The vitamin C in clementines helps neutralize free radicals, thereby reducing oxidative stress and potentially helping to deter or prevent diseases, such as cancer, in which this process is a factor.
  • By helping reduce oxidative stress and inflammation, the nutrients in clementines can support your body’s natural immune protection systems and contribute to maintaining good health.

3. They Support Digestive Health and Gut Function

  • Clementines and other citrus fruits contain fiber that acts as prebiotics, as well as polyphenols (special plant compounds that function as antioxidants), which feed beneficial bacteria, boost microbial diversity, and reduce inflammation, thereby supporting a healthy gut microbiota and overall digestive health.
  • The soluble fiber in clementines feeds beneficial gut bacteria and reduces inflammation. In contrast, the insoluble fiber content aids in the regulation of bowel movements, increases stool bulk, and supports the movement of food and waste through your body.
  • Fiber also helps slow the absorption of sugars, which can reduce blood-sugar spikes and may support weight management.

4. They Provide Potential Heart and Cardiovascular Benefits

  • Research indicates that the combined effect of bioactive substances in citrus fruits like clementines has been linked with a lower risk of metabolic syndrome (a combination of conditions that increases your risk of type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and stroke).
  • Evidence suggests that citrus flavonoids can reduce cholesterol, oxidative stress, and inflammation, thereby improving arterial blood pressure, blood vessel function, and lipid metabolism, which helps prevent cardiovascular disease and atherosclerosis (plaque deposits on the inner walls of your arteries).

5. They May Lower Your Risk of Specific Diseases

  • Results of a meta-analysis indicate that high citrus fruit consumption has been linked with a modestly reduced risk of colorectal cancer.
  • Another research review reported associations between citrus fruit intake and all-cause mortality, type 2 diabetes, some cancers (especially cancers of the upper respiratory and digestive tracts), stroke, and lipid profiles.
  • A meta-analysis found that higher intakes of citrus fruits and extracts were linked with reductions in body mass index (BMI), waist and hip circumference, and excess body weight, which help prevent obesity.

The Need for Moderation

  • Consuming more than the tolerable upper level of vitamin C (between 400 milligrams and 2,000 milligrams) daily may trigger gastrointestinal symptoms, such as nausea, abdominal cramps, and diarrhea, in some individuals.
  • Since research suggests that clementines and clementine juice may interact with medications in the same way as grapefruit juice—check with your healthcare provider for guidance before consuming this fruit if you take prescription medications.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
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Anna Zernone Giorgi

By Anna Giorgi

Giorgi is a freelance writer with more than 25 years of experience writing health and wellness-related content.