The study findings showed that citrus fruits like grapefruits, lemons, limes, and oranges have a type of antioxidant that can help neutralize serious health risks of obesity. The researchers advised that consuming more citrus fruits can help an overweight individual minimize their risk conditions like diabetes, heart disease, or liver disease.
When you consume a high-fat diet, your body will store the fat it can’t immediately use in cells all over your body. These fat cells will then produce a substance that harms other healthy cells. This occurrence is called oxidative stress.
The immune system and its antioxidants usually address oxidative stress. But in overweight people, especially those who regularly consume high-fat foods, oxidative stress may overwhelm the immune system’s ability to respond and prevent disease. (Related: Prevent obesity-related diseases with hooker chive.)
Can citrus fruits prevent obesity-related diseases?
Citrus fruits are full of vitamin C, which can boost the immune system and improve skin health. Low in calories, citrus fruits also contain other vitamins and minerals that the body needs to function properly, such as:
- B vitamins
- Copper
- Magnesium
- Phosphorous
- Potassium
Additionally, citrus fruits are full of plant compounds with many health benefits, including anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. These nutritious fruits have at least 60 varieties of carotenoids, essential oils, and flavonoids that are behind many of the benefits of citrus fruits.
Citrus fruits are a good source of flavonoids that can help prevent neurodegenerative diseases, like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. Citrus fruit also contains flavanones, a type of flavonoid with antioxidant properties. Flavanones can help minimize the risk of oxidative stress and damage to healthy cells, which can reduce pressure on your overworked immune system.
Researchers conducted the study on several mice groups with different diets. Some mice groups were fed a normal diet, while the rest were placed on a high-fat diet.
The researchers gave the mice on the high-fat diet a dose of the flavanones found in citrus fruits. One month after the study began, these mice were tested for specific indicators in the blood and liver that indicate the presence of cell-damaging substances. The test results revealed that the mice fed a high-fat diet had a high level of these indicators.
Subjects on the high-fat diet that also ingested flavanones had a decreased level of indicators in their blood and liver. Some mice even had a reported 50 percent decreased, reported the researchers. Other mice that ingested flavanones experienced less damage and fat build-up in the liver. The scientists explained that while introducing flavanones to the mice on the high-fat diet helped minimize damage; it did not make the subjects lose weight.
Adding citrus fruits with flavanones to your diet can improve your overall well-being by negating the effects of fat cells on your body. Consuming these beneficial fruits can also help minimize liver damage and lower the amount of fat and glucose in your blood.
Regardless of your weight, a diet that contains citrus fruits can help lower your risk of developing conditions like heart disease and Type 2 diabetes. In general, you must follow a diet full of fruits and various vegetables to keep your body strong and healthy.
You can read more articles about the benefits of nutritious fruits and vegetables at Fresh.news.
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