Suffering From Diabetes?
The flavanones are a group of plant based nutrients that can be found in citrus fruits such as grapefruits and oranges. They are not classed as essential nutrients but research has revealed they have numerous health benefits. In this article I will be taking a deeper look at these nutrients and discussing 4 flavanone benefits in greater detail.
1) KEEPING YOUR BLOOD HEALTHY
1 of the key flavanone benefits is that they boost your blood health in many ways. They act as hypolipidemics (substances that reduce the amount of lipids in the blood) and strengthen the capillaries (the smallest blood vessels in the human body). In addition to this, the flavanones reduce blood levels of low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol (a type of cholesterol that blocks the arteries and restricts the flow of blood) and protect your blood vessels from damage.
2) FIGHTING DANGEROUS FREE RADICALS
Free radicals are dangerous substances which are released during oxygen based reactions. They have a number of harmful effects which include increasing the visible signs of ageing and weakening the immune system. Fortunately, another important flavanone benefits is that they act as antioxidants (substances that protect your body’s cells from free radicals) and keep you safe from the harmful effects discussed above.
3) PROTECTION FROM CANCER
Cancer is a potentially fatal disease which develops when your deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) becomes damaged. It leads to the cells in your body growing in a rapid, out of control way and forming a tumour. This tumour can then become cancerous, spread to other areas of the body and destroy the surrounding cells. The good news is that another of the amazing flavanone benefits is that they can protect your body’s cells from cancer and its damaging effects.
4) PROTECTION FROM DIABETES
Diabetes is a dangerous disease which causes your blood glucose levels to become extremely high. It develops when your body’s cells stop responding to insulin (a hormone that allows your body’s cells to take glucose from the blood) or when your body fails to produce enough insulin. Untreated diabetes can cause serious damage to your cells and vital organs. Fortunately, a further flavanone benefit is that they can protect you from diabetes by enhancing your cells receptiveness to insulin and minimising the damage that diabetes can cause.
SUMMARY
Although the flavanones are not considered essential to human health, filling up on citrus fruits can keep you safe from cancer, diabetes and free radicals. So snack on oranges, have grapefruits for breakfast once in a while and take full advantage of all these flavanone benefits.
