Citrus plants serve as a valuable reservoir of flavonoids, including naringin, naringenin, nobelitin, narirutin, and hesperidin. Particularly noteworthy among these compounds is naringenin, which is colorless and lacks taste, yet holds significance as a naturally occurring flavonoid.
Naringenin is predominantly found in specific edible fruits like various Citrus species, tomatoes, and Smyrna-type Ficus carica figs. Naringenin, in conjunction with its glycoside form, has also been detected in herbs like Greek oregano, water mint, beans, as well as cocoa and tomatoes.
Despite its widespread presence, naringenin is insoluble in water but dissolves readily in organic solvents such as alcohol. Classified as a flavanone, naringenin originates from the hydrolysis of naringin or narirutin. While naringin contains a neohesperidose bond, narirutin features a rutinoside structure; both contribute to the characteristic bitter taste found in grapefruit and sour oranges.
Extensive research has unveiled naringenin's diverse impacts on human well-being. These encompass a spectrum of effects, including the reduction of biomarkers associated with lipid peroxidation and protein carbonylation, facilitation of carbohydrate metabolism, scavenging of reactive oxygen species, modulation of immune system activity, and the promotion of anti-atherogenic effects.
Furthermore, naringenin has demonstrated notable anti-inflammatory attributes and the capacity to bolster antioxidant defenses, both within controlled laboratory conditions and living organisms.
Fruit Naringenin's Health Benefits
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