Citrus boost: Tangerines and oranges fight obesity and more
For many, these are still the scents of holidays and Christmas gift packages. Although tangerines and oranges are available all year round, the real citrus excitement picks up in autumn and winter. We value these fruits for being rich in vitamin C, but, as scientists note, beloved oranges and tangerines may also aid in the fight against obesity, atherosclerosis, and diabetes.
Researchers from the American Robarts Research Institute at the University of Western Ontario tested mice, showing that nobiletin—a compound present in tangerines and oranges—effectively counteracts obesity-related conditions, including arterial atherosclerosis.
Tangerines and oranges for obesity, diabetes, and atherosclerosis
The scientists fed the mice a high-fat and cholesterol-rich diet. The animals given nobiletin (a polymethoxylated flavone found in large amounts in citrus peels) gained less weight, showed reduced insulin resistance, and had lower blood serum lipid levels than those not given the compound.
"We‘ve shown that in mice that already have all the negative symptoms of obesity, we can use nobelitin to reverse those symptoms, and even start to regress plaque build-up in the arteries, known as atherosclerosis. This result told us that nobiletin is not acting on AMP Kinase, and is bypassing this major regulator of how fat is used in the body," emphasizes Prof. Murray Huff, who led the research.
Experts admit that the mechanism of nobiletin's action is not entirely understood, but the results of these tests, as Prof. Huff explains, should be considered significant. It's also worth noting that two years ago, Prof. Huff's team discovered the flavonoid naringenin in grapefruits. This compound protects against obesity and metabolic syndrome, but nobiletin has been shown to be ten times more effective in this regard. Moreover, as Prof. Huff's team demonstrated, nobiletin also protects against atherosclerosis.
Why is it worth eating tangerines and oranges?
The research results indicate that nobiletin also exhibits various health-promoting properties, including neuroprotective effects, which can help prevent the development of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease. It also has anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant activities.
Tangerines and oranges, as sources of nobiletin, offer many other valuable benefits. Eating one orange or two tangerines can meet the daily requirement for vitamin C. Additionally, the essential oils in citrus fruits can be relaxing, positively affecting our well-being. Although citrus fruits are acidic in taste, they act alkaline within the body, helping maintain acid-base balance.
