Mandarins

🍊 What Are Mandarins?
Mandarins are small, sweet citrus fruits with thin, easy-to-peel skin and naturally segmented flesh. They are rich in vitamin C, antioxidants, and fiber, making them a convenient and nutritious snack.

🤔 Why Do I Have a Sensitivity to Mandarins?

Sensitivity to mandarins may stem from:

• Citric Acid: Their acidity can irritate sensitive digestive systems.

• Salicylates: Natural plant compounds in mandarins may trigger sensitivity for some individuals.

• Fructose: Natural fruit sugars can cause discomfort for individuals with fructose malabsorption.

🛠️ What Can I Do About It?

• Avoid mandarins and mandarin-based products for 8 weeks.

• Reintroduce them gradually afterward to evaluate tolerance.

• Track symptoms during elimination and reintroduction to identify improvements.

💊 Supportive General Supplements

Consider:

• Digestive Enzymes: Support the breakdown of natural fruit sugars.

• Probiotics: Promote gut balance and digestive comfort.

• Turmeric & Quercetin: Support a healthy inflammatory response related to plant-compound sensitivities.

🌟 Why Might I Have a Sensitivity to Mandarins but Not Other Fruits or Acidic Fruits?

Key differences include:

• Citric Acid Profile: Mandarins are milder than lemons but still acidic enough to irritate sensitive individuals.

• Salicylate Content: Present in mandarins but lower than in some other highly aromatic fruits.

• Sugar Levels: Mandarins are sweeter than citrus fruits like grapefruit, which may impact fructose-sensitive individuals differently.

🍽️ Popular Uses for Mandarins

• Mandarin orange salads

• Mandarin desserts

• Mandarin juices

🍽️ Alternatives (if tolerated)

• Oranges

• Grapefruits

• Clementines

• Apples