Orange peels almost always end up in the trash. A very bad habit according to researchers at the University of Florida. According to a new study (in English), conducted by them and published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, they could be particularly interesting for heart health.
The scientists first recalled that certain intestinal bacteria contribute to the development of cardiovascular diseases by producing, during digestion, chemical compounds called “Trimethylamine N-Oxide” (TMAO) and “trimethylamines” (TMA).
Faced with this observation, they tried to highlight a way to reduce the production of TMAO and TMA and finally tested two types of orange peel extracts. After analysis, they realized that one of them was effective in inhibiting the production of harmful chemicals. And that the other had within it a compound called feruloylputrescine capable of significantly inhibiting the enzyme responsible for the production of TMA.
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“Precious ingredients beneficial to health”
“This is a new finding that highlights the previously unrecognized health potential of feruloylputrescine in reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease,” said Dr. Yu Wang of the University of Florida. welcoming the new avenues that this discovery offers. “These results suggest that orange peels, often discarded as waste in the citrus industry, can be reused to make valuable health-promoting ingredients, such as dietary supplements or food ingredients, providing new strategies therapeutics for heart health.
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As a reminder, cardiovascular diseases constitute a set of disorders affecting the heart and blood vessels. As the World Health Organization points out on its website, the number of deaths attributable to cardiovascular diseases is estimated at 17.7 million, or 31% of total global mortality. Of these deaths, 7.4 million are due to coronary heart disease and 6.7 million to stroke.
Note that poor diet, lack of physical activity, smoking and harmful use of alcohol constitute the main risk factors for heart disease and stroke.
