Orange Peels Found to Boost Gut Health and Combat Heart Disease

A new study published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry highlights the interactions between the body’s gut microbiome and overall health; the adage “you are what you eat” certainly rings true.In regard to heart health, previous research links a healthy gut microbiome to cholesterol metabolism which could play a role in heart disease. 

Past studies also correlate consuming certain foods, including blueberries, legumes, chia seeds (in rats), and leafy greens with improved cardiovascular health. For this study, researchers focused on an organic compound called trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO). TMAO is produced when the bacteria in the gut microbiome feed on certain nutrients and foods, such as red meat and dairy products.To help reduce the amount of TMAO created in the gut microbiome, Wang and his team turned to orange peels. Within orange peel extracts, researchers found certain chemicals that can inhibit the production of chemicals that can harm the cardiovascular system. Nearly all of Florida’s oranges are used to make orange juice. 

Some of the peels go to feed cattle. So, researchers wanted to find out if there was something useful in those orange peels.  

Scientists also identified a compound called feruloylputrescine in the polar fraction orange peel extract that significantly inhibited the enzyme responsible for producing trimethylamine (TMA), which is involved in the production of TMAO. 

Researchers knew the non-polar fraction might work from previous studies, but they didn’t know the polar fraction could work, because no relevant reports previously. After reviewing this research, they say that this study highlights how much more there is to understand how the gut microbiome processes foods to produce compounds and products that could have an effect on human health. 

It is important to earn more and more about the significant interaction between the foods they eat and the inherent gut microbiome, and the microbiome that is increasingly being understood as playing a major role in human health, including cardiovascular health. Citrus fruits are rich in antioxidants, polyphenols, vitamin C, (and) potassium, as well as other B vitamins such as folate but, as the study illustrates, the compounds specific to the peel, pulp, and fruit itself offer beneficial properties in gut health which may in turn support heart health. Orange peels tend to also be bitter, have a high concentration of pesticide residue, and are not easily digested or enjoyed by themselves. They can cause bloating, cramps, and GI upset.