Flavanones
Flavanones are one type of flavonoid, polyphenolic compounds that act as pigments giving color to plants. There are many types of flavonoids, all with very similar and confusing names. Flavanones are the dominant flavonoid found in citrus fruits. The dominant flavanone in grapefruit is naringin, which give it the tangy and bitter taste. Sour oranges are also high in naringin, and have a high flavanone content compared to sweeter varieties of citrus. Hesperidin and eriocitrin are dominant in lemons. Hesperidin is the dominant flavanone in limes. Sweet oranges, tangelos and tangerines have hesperidin and narirutin as the dominant flavanones.
You will see naringin and naringinen used interchangeably, and also hesperidin and hesperitin. The difference between both of these molecules is whether or not they are bound to a sugar molecule. Narigin and hesperidin are bound to sugar molecules and narigenin and hesperitin are not. A compound bound to a sugar molecule is known as a glycoside. Eriocitrin is also the glycoside of eriodictyol.
Naringin has been found to have antioxidant properties, to lower estrogen levels and to lower blood cholesterol in lab and animal studies. Naringin is an aldose reductase inhibitor which means that it can help to fight retinal disease linked to diabetics. It also stimulates the effects of caffeine. Naringin is the compound in grapefruit which interferes with the effects of calcium channel blockers, sedatives, and cholesterol lowering drugs.
Hesperidin has anti-inflammatory properties and can lower blood pressure in animal studies, but human studies have not been done. Hesperidin works hand in hand with vitamin C in the formation of collagen, which is a major part of human skin, joints and connective tissue. Since citrus fruits are high in both hesperidin and vitamin C, this is a good argument for getting your nutritients from food rather than a vitamin jar. Citrus fruits include all the nutrients you need to work together, whereas Vitamin C supplements are often just one nutrient.
Eriocitrin (Eriodictyol) is a powerful antioxidant. In a 2003 study eriocitrin has been shown to prevent oxidative damages caused by acute exercise-induced oxidative stress. It is also among the most potent compounds reported to protect human RPE cells, which are critical for the functioning of the eye, from oxidative stress-induced cell death.
Tangeretin and nobiletin are two other flavanones commonly found in citrus fruits. Others found in smaller quantities include didymin, poncirin, neoeriocitrin and neohesperidin.
The information on this page is not meant to be used in treatment of medical conditions. Please seek the advice of a physician about any medical condition or symptom. Those with medical conditions should consult a medical professional about the appropriateness of taking dietary supplements or diet therapy, and how these methods will interact with their medications.
LINKS
Flavanone contents of lemons, grapefruits and limes.
Flavanones in oranges, tangerines, tangors and tangelos.
Naringenin inhibits cell growth and migration in human breast cancer cell lines.
The citrus flavonoid naringenin stimulates DNA repair in prostate cancer cells
nobiletin
tangeretin