Bitter orange is must commonly found in weight loss supplements. While there are some healthy components found in the fruit, there are also some unhealthy components.
The weight loss supplements have been linked to heart and circulatory problems, either because of the stimulant effects of the fruit or because of the combination of other stimulants included in the products, usually caffeine Prodotti tipici siciliani.
No studies have confirmed that the ingredient stimulates weight loss in humans. Although it is said to be a safe alternative to ephedra, it is accompanied by many of the same health risks.
The good components in bitter orange are antioxidants. Antioxidants protect the body from free radical damage, which plays a role in aging, cancer and a host of diseases.
The fruit contains a number of antioxidant compounds, including your basic vitamin C. The antioxidant that is of most interest is called hesperidin.
Hesperidin is found in many citrus fruits, but supplements containing the nutrient are usually derived from bitter oranges, because they are not as popular for eating as other citrus fruits.
The health benefits of hesperidin may be numerous. It is currently considered a nutraceutical, one of the nutrients with pharmaceutical or medicinal activity.
In scientific studies, hesperidin has been shown to lower circulating blood levels of cholesterol. So, while the weight loss supplements mentioned above may be bad for your heart, hesperidin itself may be good for your heart, especially if you have imbalanced cholesterol levels.
Hesperidin may also be beneficial for hypertension; high blood pressure. This is one of the benefits that have been seen in laboratory studies.
The nutrient may also help to prevent age-related bone loss, although the reason for this benefit is unclear. Decreases in bone density sometimes accompany the aging process, leading to an increased risk of fractures.
It is important to remember that bitter orange was not used in the studies. The hesperidin was extracted from the fruit. The other components (those with stimulant effects) were discarded. Hesperidin itself has shown some sedative effects.
As is the case with many antioxidants, hesperidin has proven anti-inflammatory activity. Inflammation plays a role in painful conditions like arthritis and in life-threating diseases, such as heart disease and cancer. It also plays a role in aging.
Many antioxidants also have cancer-fighting activity. Test tube studies have shown that hesperidin has “pronounced” anti-cancer activity against certain types of carcinomas. It should not, however, be considered a “cure” for cancer. With healthy lifestyle and diet, the nutrient could “reduce” your risk. That is all that can be said.
While I would not recommend taking bitter orange supplements, I do believe that hesperidin is a beneficial nutrient. The ingredient is included in some of the better multi-nutritional supplements, because of its benefits of its antioxidant activity and its benefits to the circulatory system.
Like ephedra, bitter orange supplements may be removed from the market at some point. Hesperidin, on the other hand, is not accompanied by any risks. There are no warnings associated with its use.