Naringenin

Naringenin (not to be confused with naringin) is a flavanone that is considered to have a bioactive effect on human health as antioxidant, free radical scavenger, anti-inflammatory, carbohydrate metabolism promoter, and immune system modulater. This substance has also been shown to reduce oxidative damage to DNA in vitro. Scientists exposed cells to 80 micromoles of naringenin per liter, for 24 hours, and found that the amount of hydroxyl damage to the DNA was reduced by 24% in that very short period of time. Unfortunately, this bioflavonoid is difficult to absorb on oral ingestion. In the best case scenario, only 15% of ingested naringenin will get absorbed in the human gastrointestinal tract. A full glass of orange juice will supply about enough naringenin to achieve a concentration of about 0.5 micromoles per liter. There are speculations that, given more time at a lower concentration, it could have similar effects.

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Naringenin found in grapefruit juice has been shown to have an inhibitory effect on the human cytochrome P450 isoform CYP1A2.^[1]

References

1. ^ Edwards DJ, Bernier SM (1996). "Inhibitory effect of grapefruit juice and its bitter principal, naringenin, on CYP1A2 dependent metabolism of caffeine in man". Life Sciences 59 (13): 1025-1030. PMID 8485024.