Know2eat

Tangerines

Citrus reticulata

What tangerines has been studied for

2 associations assessed — 1 with at least some human evidence behind it. Strongest first.

  • 1 Limited
  • 1 Insufficient
3 things to know first — allergies, interactions and intake limits

About tangerines

The loose-skinned mandarin group of citrus, smaller and less acidic than oranges and easy to peel by hand. Tangerine, satsuma and clementine all sit within this group, which is one of the three ancestral citrus species.

Also known as Mandarin orange, Mandarin, Satsuma, Tangerine

CirculationBone Health

The evidence in depth

Best supported: Limited

What each association actually rests on, and the papers behind it. A rating describes the state of the research, not how impressive the food is. How we rate evidence.

Endothelial function

Circulation
Limited evidence

Evidence is limited. Trials of citrus flavanones and orange juice report small improvements in measures of vascular function, and hesperidin is the compound usually credited. Almost none of that work used mandarins specifically, so the read-across to this fruit is an assumption.

Limited evidence. Early human work, or mostly lab and animal research.

4 sources

Deep research mode adds each paper’s own conclusion and stated limitations.

Bone mineral density

Bone Health
Insufficient evidence

Observational data from Japan links higher blood beta-cryptoxanthin, a carotenoid mandarins are unusually rich in, with better bone density measures. That is a correlation in one population and no trial has tested mandarin intake against bone outcomes.

Insufficient evidence. Not enough human research to say anything useful yet.

2 sources

Deep research mode adds each paper’s own conclusion and stated limitations.

Ask about Tangerines

Ask about Tangerines

Answers are written only from the entries on this page — the same nutrients, compounds, claims and citations you can read above. Nothing is added from outside the database, and every answer lists what it was built from.

AI explanations are not switched on for this site, so there is nothing to ask here. Everything above is read straight from the database and does not need them.

Key nutrients

Nutrient content per 100 grams
NutrientAmount% DV
Macronutrients
Calories53 kcal3%
Protein0.81 g2%
Total fat0.31 g0%
Carbohydrate13.3 g5%
Fibre1.8 g6%
Total sugars10.6 g—
Water85.2 g—
Fats
Saturated fat0.039 g0%
Monounsaturated fat0.06 g—
Polyunsaturated fat0.065 g—
Cholesterol0 mg0%
EPA (omega-3)0 g—
DHA (omega-3)0 g—
DPA (omega-3)0 g—
Linoleic acid (omega-6)0.048 g—
Vitamins
Vitamin A34 µg4%
Vitamin C26.7 mg30%
Vitamin D0 µg0%
Vitamin E0.2 mg1%
Vitamin K0 µg0%
Thiamin (B1)0.058 mg5%
Riboflavin (B2)0.036 mg3%
Niacin (B3)0.376 mg2%
Pantothenic acid (B5)0.216 mg4%
Vitamin B60.078 mg5%
Folate16 µg4%
Vitamin B120 µg0%
Choline10.2 mg2%
Minerals
Calcium37 mg3%
Iron0.15 mg1%
Magnesium12 mg3%
Phosphorus20 mg2%
Potassium166 mg4%
Sodium2 mg0%
Zinc0.07 mg1%
Copper0.042 mg5%
Manganese0.039 mg2%
Selenium0.1 µg0%
Other measured compounds
Beta-carotene155 µg—
Alpha-carotene101 µg—
Lycopene0 µg—
Lutein + zeaxanthin138 µg—
Caffeine0 mg—
Ash0.38 g—

Nutrient values are per 100 g of the USDA reference entry named on this page and vary with variety, growing conditions, storage and preparation.

Source record: Tangerines, (mandarin oranges), raw (USDA FoodData Central, FDC ID 169105).

% DV uses the FDA Daily Values for adults and children aged 4 and over. A dash means no Daily Value has been established for that nutrient.

Bioactive compounds

Compounds present in meaningful amounts. Presence is banded rather than quantified, because whole-food levels vary enormously with variety, growing conditions, storage and preparation.

How preparation changes things

Only effects with real support are listed. If a preparation method is missing, it is because nothing dependable is documented — not because it makes no difference.

Nothing dependable is recorded about how preparation changes this food’s nutritional properties. Rather than guess, this section stays empty.

Things to know

Allergies, interactions and intake concerns. Every food gets this section — a reference where everything is uniformly good is not a reference.

  • Allergy

    Citrus oral allergy

    Mouth and lip itching from citrus is reported, often in people sensitised to grass or mugwort pollen, and reactions to peel oils are commoner than to the flesh.

  • Worth knowing

    Acid erosion of tooth enamel

    Mandarins are less acidic than lemons or limes but are eaten several at a time, which extends acid contact with enamel. Rinsing with water afterwards is more helpful than brushing straight away.

  • Too much

    Carotenodermia at very high intake

    Eating several mandarins daily for weeks can tint the palms and soles orange through carotenoid deposition. It is harmless and fades once intake falls, but is sometimes mistaken for jaundice.