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Clementine

Provisional Strong ScoreCompound

Hermetica Superfood Encyclopedia

Published March 15, 2026Last updated March 15, 2026Methodology · Editorial policy · Report an error

Evidence review status: unreviewed

Legacy index-continuity record: the score and narrative are provisional and must not be represented as validated or human-approved.

Review flags: AWAITING_SEMANTIC_VALIDATION

Provisional Summary

Clementine (Citrus clementina) contains 80 mg/100g vitamin C and flavonoids like hesperidin that activate Nrf2/ERK/JNK/PI3K/Akt pathways for antioxidant protection. Its bioactive compounds support lipid metabolism, immune function, and cardiovascular health through radical scavenging mechanisms.

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Screened PMID Records

Reported Benefits

Pending

Synergy Review

At a Glance

CategoryOther

GroupOther

Public Score StatusProvisional Strong

Primary Keywordwhat is Clementine

Clementine — botanical close-up

Reported Benefits (Provisional)

Promotes microbiome balance and reduces bloating through its high citrus fiber and limonene content.

Strengthens immune defenses and combats pathogens with rich Vitamin C, flavonoids, and essential oils.

Supports liver enzyme activity and enhances fat metabolism for overall metabolic health.

Improves blood vessel function and regulates cholesterol with hesperidin and naringenin.

Enhances collagen synthesis and protects against oxidative stress for skin and collagen regeneration.

Exhibits neuroprotective effects, reducing oxidative damage in the brain for cognitive support.

Origin & History

Natural habitat

Clementine (Citrus × clementina) is a hybrid citrus fruit native to North Africa, particularly Algeria, now widely cultivated in Mediterranean regions, the United States, and South America. While the fruit is popular, its peel is a concentrated source of bioactive compounds, including flavonoids, limonene, and Vitamin C, valued in traditional medicine for their digestive, immune-boosting, and detoxifying properties. These compounds support metabolic health, skin rejuvenation, and cardiovascular function.

“Clementine peel has been highly valued in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), Ayurveda, and Mediterranean herbalism for centuries. Traditionally, it was used to promote digestion, balance Qi, detoxify the liver, strengthen immunity, and enhance skin vitality, reflecting its deep cultural significance.”Traditional Medicine

Research Narrative (Provisional)

Modern scientific studies support clementine peel's benefits for gut microbiome balance, immune resilience, and liver detoxification. Research also validates its role in cardiovascular regulation and skin collagen enhancement, highlighting the potent activity of its flavonoid and limonene content.

Preparation & Dosage

Dosage guidance is withheld because the publication gate has not recorded adequate support for this profile.

Nutritional Profile

- Vitamins: Rich in Vitamin C (ascorbic acid). - Minerals: Contains potassium, magnesium, calcium, and iron. - Dietary Fiber: High in pectin, supporting gut health. - Phytochemicals: Abundant in flavonoids (hesperidin, naringin, rutin), carotenoids (beta-cryptoxanthin, lutein, zeaxanthin), limonene, and other polyphenols.

Reported Mechanism (Provisional)

Mechanism of Action

Clementine's hesperidin upregulates heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) via Nrf2/ERK/JNK/PI3K/Akt signaling pathways, enhancing cellular antioxidant defenses. Flavonoids like naringenin and hesperidin modulate lipid metabolism enzymes and reduce oxidative stress through DPPH, ABTS, and FRAP radical scavenging mechanisms. The high vitamin C content (80 mg/100g) supports immune cell function and collagen synthesis.

Clinical Narrative (Provisional)

Current evidence for clementine comes primarily from in vitro studies and compositional analyses rather than human clinical trials. Cell studies show related citrus compounds like β-cryptoxanthin inhibit HeLa cell proliferation with IC50 of 4.5 µM after 24 hours. Cultivar analysis reveals significant variations in bioactive content, with Caffin variety showing highest vitamin C and polyphenol levels (P<0.001). Human clinical trials specifically examining clementine's therapeutic effects are lacking, limiting evidence strength for clinical applications.

Also Known As

Citrus clementina Hort. ex Tan.Clementine mandarinSeedless mandarinAlgerian tangerine

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These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

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