Citrus fruit is protective of Western lifestyle diseases including cancer and cardiovascular disease. Citrus is a rich source of polyphenols and one of the major polyphenolic groups in citrus are the flavanones, a sub-group of the flavonoids. The flavanones in citrus include hesperetin, naringenin, eriodictyol, isosakuranetin and their respective glycosides. In oranges, limes and lemons the major flavanones are hesperetin, whilst in grapefruit it is naringenin. Evidence suggests that flavanones undergo extensive metabolism prior to absorption, and that glucuronide and sulphate derivatives are the forms absorbed. Therefore biological effects may occur through interaction of these metabolites with cells and tissues, although it is also possible that the aglycone (unmetabolised) forms can be synthesised in cells enzymatically. Evidence suggests that flavanones are good antioxidants, and may regulate cell function. In particular, all flavonoids may interact with cells and regulate gene expression in some way.
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