For the past few years, the whole world was holding its breath and wondering what is going to happen with the pandemic situation. Researchers, doctors, and healthcare providers were and are still working on ways and methods for curing and preventing humankind from Covid-19 and not only.
Each person, who takes care of his/her health, is following a healthy lifestyle and aims to do sports and eat healthily. As we know a healthy diet includes a lot of vegetables and fruits, mostly citrus. Did you know that citrus fruits contain not only vitamin C (which is very important) but also a secret treasure called natural bioflavonoids? In this article, they will be revealed.
What are citrus bioflavonoids?
They are a set of phytochemicals – plants produce them. Bioflavonoids can be found mostly in citrus fruits like lemons, blood oranges, grapefruits, oranges, etc., black currants, and rose hips. We all know that the fruits mentioned above are famous for their containment of vitamin C (which is a micronutrient), but they also contain phytonutrients and those are the citrus bioflavonoids. They can be found and extracted from the pulps and rinds of citrus fruits. Also, citrus phytonutrients have many uses and roles, for example, they may be in use as alternative medicine as an antioxidant and treatment of inflammatory conditions, to improve blood circulation, and a support heart health. Moreover, they increase the action of vitamin C and can be used to treat osteoarthritis.
Scientists use the term bioflavonoids as a description of biologically active molecules, which are named flavonoids. They can be found in a variety of compounds extracted from plants, whose purpose is the health improvement.
How many types exist?
Each citrus fruit contains different types of flavonoids, which vary in individual concentration and amount. Here are the most common citrus flavonoids: quercetin, nobiletin, narituritin, neohesperidin (derived from bitter orange), diosmetin, naringenin (from grapefruit), tangeretin, diosmin, and the most used one – hesperidin (extracted from the peel of sweet orange).
What are the benefits of citrus bioflavonoids and their usage?
Most of their benefits are related to their anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. They are known for years and have been demonstrated and examined in many studies. Oral care and dental health industries use citrus bioflavonoids as natural preservatives in different dental care products. Also, bioflavonoids extracted from citrus fruits have antimicrobial activities and are often used for oral health. Because of their action to reduce inflammation and oxidation and UV protection properties – citrus bioflavonoids are one of the most desirable ingredients. Big cosmetic, dietetic, and pharmaceutical industries use them as the main ingredient in many products, especially those for skincare.
And that’s not all – here are several benefits of citrus bioflavonoids:
- They are helping to modulate your metabolism.
- Supporting insulin sensitivity and balancing glucose levels.
- They promote the process of healthy aging.
- Citrus bioflavonoids promote the health of the immune system and respiratory health.
- They act as a buffer against oxidative stress.
So as you can see, that gift from nature is not for underestimating. Some people are even taking them in the form of food supplements.
