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Tangerines

Tangerines ~ Nutrition News

This super fruit helps prevent obesity, type 2 diabetes in mice.

While an apple a day keeps the doctor away, a tangerine a day may provide even greater health benefits, researchers say.

Scientists at the University of Western Ontario in London, Ont., say a substance found in high concentrations in the fruit prevents obesity and offers protection against type 2 diabetes in lab mice.

Their research, published in the journal Diabetes, found that the naturally occurring substance nobiletin also helped to protect against atherosclerosis, the disease responsible for most heart attacks and strokes.

"The nobiletin-treated mice were basically protected from obesity," Murray Huff, a vascular biology scientist at the University of Western Ontario, said in a release.

"And in longer-term studies, nobiletin also protected these animals from atherosclerosis, the buildup of plaque in arteries, which can lead to a heart attack or stroke."

Nobiletin is part of a family of molecules called flavonoids that are found naturally in citrus fruits.

Tangerines boast the highest nobiletin concentration of any citrus fruit.

A Statistics Canada study suggested that one in four Canadians are considered obese.

Huff told Postmedia News that scientists fed mice a diet representing the nutrient content of western societies, high in fats and sugars.

One group of mice became obese, showing elevated cholesterol and insulin levels and a fatty liver, symptoms that increase the risk of cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes.

However, a second group of mice that was given doses of nobiletin in addition to their diet experienced none of the symptoms of the first group.

Researchers found that nobiletin prevented the buildup of fat in the liver by blocking the genes responsible for manufacturing fat.

This isn't the first time that Huff has found a potential gold mine in the grocery aisle.

Two years ago, he discovered a substance in grapefruits called naringenin offered similar protection against obesity.

What he really found interesting is that nobiletin is 10 times more potent in its protective effects compared to naringenin.

They've also shown that nobiletin has the ability to protect against atherosclerosis.

There is optimism that the study's findings may hint at similar benefits in humans.

It's still really too early to say.

But the study suggests it's well worth moving forward to study the effects of nobiletin in human studies.

Now here's a sensational treat we're know you're going to enjoy!

Fresh Fruit Salad with Honey-Mint Lime Dressing

We love this recipe because of its simplicity, beauty and extraordinary flavors when combined together.

Families everywhere will feel pampered and special when being served this refreshing, light and beautiful fruit salad.

Prep: 5 min

Total: 15 min

Makes: 4 Servings

Ingredients:

Juice of 1 small lime (about 3 Tbs.)

3 Tbs. finely chopped fresh mint

3 tablespoons honey

8 to 10 c. various fresh cut/sliced fruit, such as strawberries, blueberries, peaches, kiwis, grapes, oranges, tangerines, bananas, blackberries, raspberries and any other seasonal fruit

3 Tbs. brown sugar

Mint sprigs, for garnish

Preparation;

1. In a small bowl, whisk together lime juice, honey, brown sugar and mint until well incorporated.

Place in refrigerator until ready to toss with the fruit.

2. In a large serving bowl, add the fruit and the honey-mint lime dressing.

Gently fold together and garnish with additional mint sprigs.

Enjoy!