Eating citrus fruits can help prevent obesity-related diseases

 by: Dena Schmidt, staff writer | June 14, 2024

(NaturalHealth365)  While it’s been known that citrus fruit is an important part of a healthy diet, researchers now believe they may be key in preventing weight-related health problems.  A new study has shown that citrus fruits such as oranges, grapefruits, lemons, and limes contain an antioxidant that counteracts some of the serious health risks of obesity.

Adding more citrus fruits to your diet may help reduce the risk of heart disease, liver disease, and diabetes.  These fruits also provide essential vitamins and minerals that support overall well-being and boost the immune system.

Why citrus fruits are a smart choice for the immune system

When a person consumes a high-fat diet, the body stores the fat it can’t immediately use in cells throughout the body.  These fat cells produce a substance that damages other healthy cells.  This is called oxidative stress, and the immune system normally deals with it with its own antioxidants.  However, overweight people who continue to eat high-fat foods can overwhelm the immune system’s ability to respond and prevent disease.

This is where foods that contain high levels of antioxidants can help.  Citrus fruit contains a special form of antioxidant called flavanones.  These substances appear to reduce the risk of oxidative stress and damage to healthy cells.  This also takes the pressure off the overworked immune system.

Flavanones in citrus fruits reduce a variety of health risks

The study published in Clinical Nutrition ESPEN highlights the broad health benefits of citrus, revealing their potential in managing cardiovascular risk factors, neurological disorders, and other health conditions through their rich chemical composition and therapeutic properties.  The researchers reviewed meta-analyses, clinical trials, and the chemical compounds present in various citrus species.

They utilized information from databases like Google Scholar, Web of Science, Scopus, and PubMed, examining keywords related to citrus and its health benefits.  They found that citrus plants have beneficial effects on various conditions, including cancer risks, cardiovascular risk factors, neurological disorders, urinary tract conditions, and gastrointestinal tract conditions.  The study also noted the antimicrobial, and pain-alleviating effects of citrus and its potential in managing obesity risk factors.

Another study investigated the impact of citrus flavanones on different dietary groups, including those on a high-fat diet.  It found that flavanone consumption led to a significant reduction in indicators of cell damage in both blood and liver, surpassing a 50% reduction in some cases.  Furthermore, flavanone-treated subjects showed less liver damage and fat accumulation.

Start adding organic citrus fruit to the diet to prevent disease

Adding flavanones to the diet promotes health by counteracting the effects of fat cells on the body.  Eating citrus fruits helps reduce liver damage, lower the amount of fat in the blood, and reduce glucose levels.  Besides the benefits of antioxidants to the health of overweight people, a diet that includes citrus fruit can benefit people of any weight, reducing the risk of heart disease and type 2 diabetes.

We, at NaturalHealth365, would suggest you only eat organic fruits to avoid unwanted chemicals in your diet.

The next step involves exploring optimal ways to incorporate concentrated flavanones into daily diets.  Flavanones found abundantly in organic citrus fruits like oranges, grapefruits, lemons, and limes, offer a promising natural strategy to combat heart and liver diseases.  To maximize their benefits, consider consuming various citrus fruits and vegetables daily.

Incorporating colorful salads, citrus-infused water, or enjoying citrus fruits as snacks can enhance your intake of these beneficial compounds.  Additionally, pairing citrus fruits with leafy greens can further boost their nutritional impact.

Bottom line: making citrus fruits a regular part of your diet can support overall health and reduce the risk of chronic diseases.

Sources for this article include:

NIH.gov
ACS.org
Sciencedaily.com