What is the Jamaican Ugly Orange ?
The Jamaican tangelo (English: Jamaican tangelo or Ugli fruit) is a hybrid of a tangerine and a grapefruit. A kind of tangerine.
"UGLI" is a brand name that plays on the word "ugly" because the fruit doesn't look particularly appetizing. However, the name "Ugli fruit" has become one of the most common names for this fruit.
This teardrop-shaped fruit is larger than a grapefruit and has a thick, rough yellow-green skin that peels off easily. Its flesh is orange and, like other citrus fruits, is divided into sections by a white mesh-like substance called pith.
The Jamaican tangerine is juicy and its flavor is often described as sweet and tangy with a hint of bitterness.
Nutrition
Jamaican tangerines are low in calories but are a great source of nutrients. Half of a Jamaican orange (about 100 g) provides:
- Calories: 47
- Fat: 0g
- Protein: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 12 grams
- Fiber: 2 grams
- Vitamin C: 90% of the Daily Value (DV)
- Folic acid: 8% of daily value
- Calcium: 4% of daily value
- Potassium: 4% of daily value
As you can see, Jamaican oranges provide only 47 calories per 100 grams. Most of these calories come from carbohydrates in the form of natural sugars. Plus, the same serving contains almost a day’s worth of vitamin C.
Vitamin C plays many important roles in your health, but its role as an antioxidant and immune system booster is particularly important.
Jamaican tangerines also contain a variety of other vitamins and minerals, as well as plant compounds called phenols, which have many health benefits.
benefit
The Jamaican tangerine has a variety of health benefits.
As a member of the citrus family, it is rich in vitamins, minerals and plant compounds that are thought to be beneficial to your health.
Rich in vitamins and minerals
Half a Jamaican orange (about 100 grams) contains almost a day's worth of vitamin C, as well as several other vitamins and minerals.
Vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid, is a powerful antioxidant. It can help prevent damage caused by high levels of free radicals, which can lead to chronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, or cancer.
This vitamin also plays an important role in wound healing and the development of collagen, a protein in the body that is a key component of skin, muscle and connective tissue.
In addition, Jamaican oranges contain folate, calcium, and potassium, important nutrients that play important roles in metabolism, muscle control, and bone and heart health.
May help you lose weight
Jamaican oranges are very low in calories, with half of a fruit (approximately 100 grams) containing only 47 calories.
This makes tangerines a great low-calorie snack for those trying to lose weight. It helps you consume fewer calories than you burn, which is the only proven way to lose weight .
Eating whole fruit, such as Jamaican oranges or other citrus fruits, may also reduce your risk of being overweight or obese.
Plus, Jamaican tangerines contain fiber, which can help you feel fuller for longer.
Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory potential
Jamaican tangerine is rich in flavonoid compounds, which have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties .
A tangelo flavonoid called naringenin is considered a powerful antioxidant. In one study in mice, it reduced liver damage caused by free radicals. Naringenin also has powerful anti-inflammatory effects. Because chronic inflammation is linked to a variety of diseases, including type 2 diabetes and heart disease. However, most research has been conducted in test tubes and animals. More research in humans is needed before firm conclusions can be drawn about the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory potential of ugle fruit.
shortcoming
Jamaican tangerines contain powerful compounds called furanocoumarins that may interfere with a variety of medications.
Therefore, people taking certain medications, including heart medications and anti-anxiety medications, should avoid it.
Since the Jamaican tangerine is a cross between a grapefruit and an orange, there is concern that it also contains furanocoumarins.
However, if you are concerned about the possibility of drug interactions, you should talk to your healthcare provider before consuming ugly fruit.
how to eat
Jamaican tangerines are easy to eat.
It can be peeled like other citrus fruits. In fact, because its peel is thick and very loosely attached, it may be easier to peel than the peels of other citrus fruits.
Once the peel is removed, you can separate the Jamaican tangerine into its parts—just like an orange. Although this fruit has fewer seeds than oranges and grapefruits, be careful to remove them before eating.
You can also cut unpeeled Jamaican tangerines in half and eat them with a spoon, like a grapefruit.
Jamaican tangerines can be enjoyed on their own as a snack or dessert. Alternatively, you can use it as a sweet and citrusy addition to other recipes, such as salads, fruit salads, or stir-fries.
