Orange peels are greatly beneficial to cardiovascular health, a study has found.
The research, led by the University of Florida, identified beneficial compounds in orange peels that could help reduce the risk of heart disease, which is one of the most common causes of death globally.
It is the No. 1 cause of death in the United States, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Recent research has shown that certain gut bacteria contribute to the development of cardiovascular disease by producing trimethylamine N-oxide during digestion. High levels of TMAO are linked to an increased risk of heart disease, Cleveland Clinic researchers have confirmed.
In the new research, Yu Wang, an associate professor of food science and human nutrition at the University of Florida, led a team that explored the potential of orange peel extracts in reducing TMAO production. The team focused on two types of extracts from orange peels: a polar fraction and a non-polar fraction.
The study found that the non-polar fraction extract of orange peels effectively inhibited the production of harmful chemicals associated with cardiovascular disease. In addition, researchers identified a compound called feruloylputrescine in the polar fraction extract, which significantly inhibits the enzyme responsible for producing trimethylamine, a precursor to TMAO.
"If you imagine your salad dressing, anything in the water or vinegar part are the polar fraction; anything in the oil away from water is the non-polar fraction," Wang said in a statement. "The solvents we used were not exactly like water and oil, but they possess similar polarity. This is a novel finding that highlights the previously unrecognized health potential of feruloylputrescine in reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease."
Orange peels are usually discarded as waste or fed to cattle, as the health benefits are greatly overlooked. The study says about 5 million tons of orange peels are produced every year, meaning there is plenty to go around. And they are safe for human consumption, according to the Food and Drug Administration.
"These findings suggest that orange peels, often discarded as waste in the citrus industry, can be repurposed into valuable health-promoting ingredients, such as diet supplements or food ingredients," Wang said. "Our research paves the way for developing functional foods enriched with these bioactive compounds, providing new therapeutic strategies for heart health."
This research not only offers a potential solution for reducing heart disease risk. It also presents an opportunity to address food waste. By repurposing orange peels into functional foods or supplements, the researchers believe there is the potential to repurpose the peels into a beneficial product.
Wang and her team at the UF/IFAS Citrus Research and Education Center will continue to research these findings with the hope of developing new products that can contribute to better cardiovascular health.
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