Rich in vitamin C, easy to peel, the tangerine is one of the star fruits of winter. We also tend to take it everywhere, because it can be easily eaten as a snack.
If you like this fruit, be careful, however, because you may be making a mistake when consuming it.
The white threads in tangerine are full of benefits
If, when you peel your tangerine, you meticulously remove all the white threads on the quarters, that’s a mistake! In fact, these threads – which many people find unpleasant in the mouth – concentrate a large part of the fruit’s antioxidants, vitamins and fiber.
These whitish filaments have a name: it is albedo. They are rich in powerful flavonoids, vitamin C, soluble fiber and other natural anti-inflammatory compounds. “Albedo is a part to consume. It is quite fibrous, but if that doesn’t bother you, you can eat it like that“, confirms Anaïs Soize, dietitian-nutritionist.
“We can also consume it through the whole peel, candied. At that point, we will favor organic citrus fruits. And this is not necessarily in a sweet form: we can eat it candied but in a savory version, like with candied lemons in a dish, for example.“
What is the role of albedo?
“Albedo protects the fruit from rot and premature aging. It also plays a role in the growth of the fruit. Rich in fiber and pectin, it helps regulate blood sugar levels. This part also has a beneficial effect on heart health and helps reduce bad cholesterol, while preventing thrombosis.says our expert. According to nutritionist Manuel Viso, the albedo of tangerines also contains essential minerals like potassium, magnesium and tryptophan, which can improve sleep quality and soothe the nervous system. The expert specifies, in an Instagram video, that bananas also have this type of thread, which is important to consume.
What are the other benefits of citrus fruits?
Finally, recalls Anaïs Soize, mandarin helps “regulate satiety and transit”. The tangerine also contains a high level of vitamin C, but it is not the fruit that contains the most. “Among citrus fruits, lemon is the fruit with the best level of vitamin C. But, generally speaking, all citrus fruits are low in sugar, low in calories and rich in fiber.“, she believes. By consuming them regularly, you can also improve your iron levels. Why? “Because by combining vitamin C and foods rich in iron, we allow better absorption of the latter.“, concludes the dietitian.
Also read: Clementine or mandarin: how to tell the difference?