A new study reveals the surprising benefits of THIS common fruit

With 80 million people in the United States currently obese, it's no surprise that obesity-related chronic diseases are also on the rise. Heart disease, one of the deadliest chronic diseases, is responsible for almost 700,000 deaths in 2020 alone – and accounts for a staggering one in three deaths worldwide.

There is some evidence that citrus fruits such as oranges may provide valuable “ammunition” against factors that cause heart disease. Not only are oranges rich in dietary fiber vitamin C, but also contain antioxidant compounds known as flavonoids. A new study examines the potential of one such flavonoid, hesperidin, to support heart health. Let's explore the many reasons to enjoy sweet, tangy, juicy (organic) oranges.

Oranges offer a number of health-promoting nutrients

First, oranges (botanically known as Citrus sinensis) are full of nutritional compounds that may help reduce risk factors for conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, obesity, and metabolic syndrome. For example, a medium orange contains 3 grams of dietary fiber, which has been shown to help reduce artery-clogging LDL cholesterol, which is linked to atherosclerosis.

More good news: A 2022 study published in the journal Nutrition found that increasing dietary fiber caused a reduction in overall weight and harmful visceral fat in volunteers. One orange also contributes 82 mg of the antioxidant vitamin C—needed for the production of collagen needed for flexible, healthy arteries—along with 60 mg of calcium, a mineral essential for bone health. Other valuable micronutrients include 35 mg of folate, which is believed to help prevent stroke, and the antioxidant beta carotene, which helps neutralize free radicals that cause oxidative damage and disease. Finally, each orange contains about half a cup of water, making it a liquid-rich, hydrating food. Simply put: when you eat an orange, good things happen in your body. And orange gives these gifts with a modest caloric "cost" of 80 calories.

Researchers have considered hesperidin an intriguing flavonoid with therapeutic potential

The flavonoids in oranges, especially hesperidin, are attracting the attention of researchers for their beneficial effects. In an animal study conducted by researchers at the University of Estadad Paulista, a month of supplementation with flavonones (a type of flavonoid) showed health benefits when added to a high-fat diet, reducing both liver damage and blood glucose and drastically reducing the risk of heart disease. . "In the future, we may use citrus flavanones to prevent or delay obesity-related chronic diseases in humans," the researchers predict. And hesperidin—which makes up 90 percent of the flavonones in oranges—shows particular promise for cardiovascular conditions. In a recent review published in Nutrients, the authors noted that hesperidin has blood sugar-lowering, obesity-preventing, cholesterol-lowering and anti-inflammatory effects. However, many of the most encouraging studies have been conducted in animals, and human trials have produced mixed results. The researchers believe that the inconsistent results in humans may be due to the bioavailability of hesperidin, which in turn is affected by factors such as the health of the gut microbiome. Scientists are calling for further research to investigate – and fully reveal – the health benefits of hesperidin-rich oranges for humans.

Oranges can help promote normal weight and support heart health