What Is Naringin? Guide to the Flavanone
Article written by
Tina MagrabiSenior Content Writer
Content reviewed by
Dr. Lewis JasseyMedical Director - Pediatric Medicine
Naringin is a colorless flavanone with potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. This flavanone is found in certain fruits and herbs and may serve several health purposes as an anti-cancer agent and tool against heart disease and diabetes.
Learn about the other therapeutic effects of naringin, along with the flavanone’s connection to the cannabis plant.
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What Is Naringin?
Naringin is a flavanone or natural nutrient found in many plants, including cannabis. Flavanones like naringin have benefited human health by reducing oxidative stress, an imbalance in the body that precedes many severe diseases, including cancer.
The flavanone naringin is also used as a flavoring agent in citrus candies and other food products. But naringin’s most significant uses are therapeutic, starting with how the flavanone functions alongside other chemical compounds in cannabis.
How Naringin Works in Cannabis
The flavanones in cannabis give both pigment and flavor to the plant, and Naringin has a chemical composition that lends grapefruit its signature bitter flavor. Flavanones like naringin influence how your senses perceive the cannabis product you consume in what you see, taste, and smell.
In conjunction with terpenes and cannabinoids, flavanones create a synergistic entourage effect that maximizes medicinal benefits. As these plant compounds work in synergy, they connect to receptors in your endocannabinoid system, binding with one another and sending messages to heal.
Health Benefits and Uses
Research on the health benefits of naringin is limited, and more clinical trials involving humans are crucial. The research that exists indicates that naringin could have the following therapeutic benefits and uses:
Naringin and Diabetes
Naringin may have the power to slow down and even improve diabetic complications. Specifically, naringin has been shown to inhibit oxidative stress in cardiac cells. In other words, the flavanone has the potential to improve heart health in people with diabetes and those not living with a chronic condition.
Naringin and Dementia
Naringin and other citrus flavonoids like hesperetin could be useful in fighting dementia and other types of cognitive decline. Scientists have demonstrated the efficacy of naringin through in vitro (in the test tube) and in vivo (live organism) studies. But more human research is needed to establish a firm connection between taking naringin and battling dementia.
Naringin and Obesity
Studies on animals have demonstrated that naringin may have the ability to reduce body fat composition. As obesity is linked to many preventable diseases, this finding could be consequential. However, as with so much research on naringin, human clinical trials are lacking.
Naringin and High Blood Pressure (Hypertension)
Naringin appears to have a vasodilating effect, which occurs when blood vessels widen to better circulation of blood, oxygen, and nutrients throughout the body. This vasodilating effect could benefit people suffering from high blood pressure (hypertension).
Naringin may also be effective against other diseases and conditions, and more research involving people is vital.
Side Effects of Naringin
Despite the health benefits of naringin, side effects may also occur in some people, especially those who take the flavanone as a dietary supplement. The side effects of naringin may include:
- Cough
- Dizziness
- Flushed skin
- Heart palpitations
- Liver damage (more common with naringin nutritional supplements)
Consult with your doctor before taking naringin supplements. Like most dietary supplements, naringin supplements have not received FDA approval.
Also, be aware that taking a naringin supplement could result in drug interactions with prescription or over-the-counter medications. Remember: the best way to experience any plant compound is right from the source, not by popping a pill.
Experience a rich variety of flavanones and other plant nutrients like naringin with a medical marijuana card. Apply for your MMJ card through Leafwell’s online clinic today and unlock legal access to the many potential health benefits of cannabis.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is naringin good for?
The protective effects of naringin include managing inflammatory disorders, inhibiting cancer cell proliferation, and combating age-related cognitive decline. More research is needed to determine if naringin could treat such cognitive conditions as Alzheimer’s Disease.
What foods contain naringin?
Grapefruits and grapefruit juice contain very high levels of naringin. The flavanone is also naturally found in other citrus fruits, tomatoes, cherries, and the bitter herb oregano. Naringin is present in some food products as well, notably citrus-flavored gum and hard candies.
What type of inhibitor is naringin?
Naringin is an esterase inhibitor, meaning that the flavanone could trigger certain drug interactions. Speak with your doctor before starting a regimen of naringin supplements, especially if you have a history of kidney problems or are taking any medications.
