Grapefruit To Prevent Type 2 Diabetes

A group of scientists have found that naringenin, a flavonoid present in citrus fruits is responsible for the liver to burn fat rather than storing it after taking a meal. This chemical compound is primarily found in grapefruit and is responsible for the bitter taste of the fruit. With a dose of naringenin, you will be able to prevent gain in weight and even lose some weight, without the need to change your regular diet or cut out your favorite foods from your meals.

In the study, two sets of mice were taken and both were fed with the equivalent of western diet for speeding up the metabolic syndrome in them. This is the process that leads to the development of Type 2 diabetes in human beings. One of the two groups was given naringenin and it was found that the group that was not given naringenin became obese and the metabolic syndrome was developed in them. Due to this, their cholesterol levels increased and they became resistant to the insulin. The group that was given naringenin did not show any of such problems. Even if there was any rise in the cholesterol levels, it was corrected due to the naringenin dosage and the liver was also reprogrammed to burn the fat rather than storing it.

Scientists that conducted this study believes that naringenin can prove to be extremely helpful in fighting diabetes mainly because it also helps in balancing insulin and the glucose levels in human bodies. But there are some things that have to be considered about the study before reaching a conclusion. First of all, the mice were given the same amount of fat and food, there appetite was not suppressed and their food intake was not reduced. All these procedures are basis of the strategies for reducing gain in weight and their metabolic consequences. Secondly, the mice were given higher dose of naringenin than that found in grapefruit naturally.

Therefore, a safe and concentrated supplement will need to be produced for the human beings before even showing that the same effects that were seen in mice will also be seen in humans. It can be considered after that only that whether the same procedure can be applied to the humans also or not.

Simple changes in lifestyles like maintaining a healthy body weight, being physically active and consuming a balanced diet can help in reducing risks of developing Type 2 diabetes. It can also help in diagnosing the condition so that it can be managed more efficiently.