Inflammation is the process by which the immune cells and chemicals help fight pathogens and foreign substances. In some cases, however, the immune system inappropriately attacks its own tissues, leading to a variety of diseases ranging from rheumatoid arthritis, tendinitis and bursitis to heart disease and certain cancers. The symptoms depend on the organs affected and may include redness, joint pain, joint stiffness, fever, chills, fatigue and loss of appetite. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and pain medications are commonly used to treat the condition. Oranges may also help patients with inflammatory diseases.
About Oranges
Orange is one of the most favored fruits across the world. In fact, a wide variety of orange and tangerine species grow across the world. Apart from being a rich source of vitamin C and potassium, oranges also contain significant amounts of dietary fiber and B vitamins. Consuming orange peel, fruit and juice can help prevent several health conditions including heart disease, infections and certain types of cancers. Apart from fresh fruit and juices, orange products are available as dried fruit, powders and capsules.
Orange and Inflammation
The flavonoids in oranges can help neutralize free radicals in the body and prevent the inflammation induced by them. In fact, according to a study in the April 2010 issue of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, intake of orange juice helps prevent meal-induced oxidative and inflammatory stress that goes along with a high-fat, high-carbohydrate diet. This may, in turn, help prevent conditions such as insulin resistance and plaque formation, report the authors of the study. Another study in the December 2007 edition of the journal Carcinogenesis states that polymethoxyflavone compounds in citrus fruits, such as oranges, prevent inflammation-induced tumors in laboratory animals, and similar results may be seen in actual clinical cases as well. Polymethoxyflavones from orange peel also inhibit the growth of inflammation-induced lung cancer cells by promoting programmed cell death of the tumor cells in the laboratory, says an article in the March 2009 issue of the journal Molecular Nutrition and Food Research.
Side Effects
Oranges in the form of fresh fruit are generally safe to use, although excessive intake of the fruit or its juice can lead to nausea and gastric disturbances. The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine also states that bitter orange supplements may increase heart rate and raise blood pressure. Allergic reactions to oranges may also occur occasionally.
Precautions
Always talk to a doctor before using orange supplements to treat or prevent inflammation and related conditions. Also remember that production of orange supplements may not be regulated by the Food and Drug Administration. So do your best to ensure the quality and purity of the product.
References
- The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition: "Orange Juice Neutralizes the Pro-inflammatory Effect of a High-Fat, High-Carbohydrate Meal and Prevents Endotoxin Increase and Toll-Like Receptor Expression"; Husam Ghanim, et al.; April 2010
- Carcinogenesis: "Inhibitory Effect of Citrus 5-Hydroxy-3,6,7,8,3′,4′-Hexamethoxyflavone on 12-O-Tetradecanoylphorbol 13-Acetate-Induced Skin Inflammation and Tumor Promotion in Mice"; Ching-Shu Lai, et al.; October 2007
- Molecular Nutrition and Food Research: "Monodemethylated Polymethoxyflavones From Sweet Orange (Citrus Sinensis) Peel Inhibit Growth of Human Lung Cancer Cells by Apoptosis"; Hang Xiao, et al.; March 2009
- NCCAM: Bitter Orange
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