Cutting through liver fat with citrus

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) impacts roughly one quarter^[1] of the entire global population. NAFLD is a disease in which fat accumulates in the liver (greater than 5% of the weight of the liver) for reasons other than excessive alcohol consumption. NAFLD can be a serious issue since, as shown in Figure 1, fatty liver can ultimately cause liver damage and cirrhosis. While the condition has historically been seen primarily in adults, the rates of children with obesity in the U.S. are now roughly equal^[2] to the rates of adults.

Hesperidin, a compound found in the peels of citrus fruits, depicted in Figure 2, has been investigated as a potential therapeutic option for NAFLD. Hesperidin is classified as a bioflavonoid glycoside (a type of polyphenol) and exhibits antioxidant^[3] and blood lipid lowering^[3] effects in humans. Additionally, previous investigations have shown that hesperidin can prevent^[4] liver steatosis in rats. These data suggest that hesperidin may provide benefit for NAFLD, but until recently, this had never been tested in humans.

The present study was a randomized controlled trial studying the effects of hesperidin on hepatic steatosis as well as liver enzymes, metabolic parameters, and inflammation in individuals with NAFLD. > NAFLD affects one out of every four people. Hesperidin, a compound found in citrus peels, has been shown to have some properties that might benefit NAFLD. The present study is a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial studying the effects of hesperidin on hepatic steatosis as well as liver enzymes, metabolic parameters, and inflammation in individuals with NAFLD.