Can orange peel extract improve heart health? Study sheds light

New University of Florida-led research showed that Orange peels may hold a key to better cardiovascular health.

The findings were published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, heart disease is the leading cause of death for men, women, and people of most racial and ethnic groups

Recent research has found that certain bacteria in our gut can contribute to heart disease. These bacteria produce a substance called trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO) when they digest certain foods. The amount of TMAO in our bodies can be a sign of potential heart problems in the future.

Orange peel extract is good for your health, especially for your heart, according to previous research. It contains lots of antioxidants, which help protect the body from damage. These antioxidants can reduce inflammation, lower cholesterol levels, and improve blood circulation. This helps keep the heart healthy and reduces the risk of heart disease. Additionally, orange peel extract has fiber, which is good for digestion and can help control blood sugar levels.

In the study, Yu Wang and her team investigated the potential of orange peel extracts -- rich in beneficial phytochemicals -- to reduce TMAO and trimethylamine (TMA) production. Scientists tested two types of extracts: a polar fraction and a non-polar fraction. To get the polar fractions, scientists used polar and non-polar solvents to extract the orange peel.

Results from the study showed that the orange peel non-polar fraction extract effectively inhibited the production of harmful chemicals. Researchers also identified a compound called feruloyl-putrescine in the orange peel polar fraction extract that also significantly inhibits the enzyme responsible for TMA production.

“This is a novel finding that highlights the previously unrecognized health potential of feruloyl-putrescine in reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease. 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. Our research paves the way for developing functional foods enriched with these bioactive compounds, providing new therapeutic strategies for heart health.” said Wang, a UF/IFAS associate professor of food science and human nutrition.

Reference: Hana Lee, Gar Yee Koh, Hanna Lee, Priscila Alves, Wallace Yokoyama, and Yu Wang; Discovery of a Novel Bioactive Compound in Orange Peel Polar Fraction on the Inhibition of Trimethylamine and Trimethylamine N-Oxide through Metabolomics Approaches and In Vitro and In Vivo Assays: Feruloylputrescine Inhibits Trimethylamine via Suppressing cntA/B Enzyme; Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry 2024 72 (14), 7870-7881; DOI: 10.1021/acs.jafc.3c09005