New research is now showing that eating citrus fruits can control weight gain and decrease risk for developing heart diseases and type 2-diabetes. Naringenin, the flavonoid in citrus fruits, is the main player in burning extra fat in the body. These flavonoids genetically reprogram the liver to burn rather than store excess fat. It also keeps a check on diabetes because it acts like insulin.
The study done by researchers consisted of two groups of mice. One group was fed a high-fat diet to induce metabolic syndrome symptoms. The second group was fed the same diet, but was supplemented with naringenin also. Results showed that naringenin normalized glucose metabolism in mice by preventing the development of insulin resistance. Naringenin also prevented triglyceride and cholesterol levels from rising. The mice were also less obese.
Though weight loss strategies usually suppress appetite or calorie intake, the control mice in this experiment ate the same amount of food and fat as the experimental. The effects were independent of caloric intake. Naringenin might be a powerful link to insulin resistance and a hopeful approach to treating metabolic syndrome.
