What’s Inside Bitter Orange?
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Posted On :
Aug-23-2011
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Article Word Count :
481
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Though used more often as a supplement, bitter orange is a food. Make no mistake. In Latin, its name is Citrus aurantium, and in regular old English, it might also be called a Seville orange. For our purposes here, we’ll call it bitter.The average person would know bitter orange best when sipping cocktails that are made with either Triple Sec or Cointreau.
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Though used more often as a supplement, bitter orange is a food. Make no mistake. In Latin, its name is Citrus aurantium, and in regular old English, it might also be called a Seville orange. For our purposes here, we’ll call it bitter.
The average person would know bitter orange best when sipping cocktails that are made with either Triple Sec or Cointreau.
The Peel’s Volatile Oil
When you peel open any orange, bitter or not, there is an oily substance that creeps out and gets on your hands. That oil is immensely good for you. We’d do our bodies much better by licking our palms than by washing them. Well, it’s that volatile oil that makes the bitter orange so fascinating, as this piece of fruit isn’t like other oranges.
Now, the juice of bitter orange and its peel contain one chemical of note: “synephrine.” It also has a few other related compounds, all of which are behind its promoted use as a weight-loss product. As a matter of fact, around the time that “ephedra” started to be questioned for safety reasons, bitter orange stepped up to the plate.
What It’s Used For
Here are what some studies had to say about bitter orange, apart from its traditional uses mentioned above.
Versus Obesity
Bitter orange is popular as a weight-loss agent. There is relatively weak evidence to support its use, but that’s better than no evidence (or evidence to the contrary). One study from a British hospital found that the synephrine in bitter orange has potential “fat burning” actions. Another study, of better quality, tested the juice of bitter orange along with caffeine and St. John’s wort to see if it had effects on weight loss. The results were positive.
Versus Depression
There is some evidence that extracts from bitter orange exert antidepressant effects. Since depression is what one feels, it’s tough to prove or disprove a potential alternative therapy. If you’re having problems with depression and are searching for answers, why not try synephrine-rich bitter orange?
Versus Cancer
Now, we can’t get carried away, but there is speculation that the amazing chemicals within the bitter orange could help protect your body from cancer. Again, it is the synephrine and other stimulants, but also several substances such as citrus “bioflavonoids” in the peel that have shown some ability to prevent cancer.
It doesn’t stop there, though, as bitter orange may also be able to fight viruses.
Versus Anxiety & Insomnia
The volatile oil contains two chemicals—“linalool” and “limonene”—that may exert anti-anxiety and sedative effects. It’s just preliminary evidence thus far.
Important Safety Information
When you shop for bitter-orange products, you’ll find juices and extracts that trumpet a specific percentage of synephrine. Usually, between 100 milligrams (mg) and 150 mg is fine taken two times a day. You should know, however, that there is some concern over how safe it is.
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Article Source :
http://www.articleseen.com/Article_What’s Inside Bitter Orange?_75784.aspx
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Author Resource :
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Keywords :
ability to prevent cancer, weight loss,
Category :
Health and Fitness
:
Health and Fitness
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