Tangerines May Prevent Obesity, Diabetes

Tangerines may prevent obesity and protect against heart disease, Type 2 diabetes, and other metabolic conditions, according to a new study published in the journal Diabetes.

A flavinoid in tangerines called Nobiletin was found to be specifically linked to the effects.

The researchers studied mice that were fed a high fat, high-sugar diet. The control group suffered from elevated cholesterol, high and glucose levels, fatty liver, and other signs of metabolic syndrome. These conditions cause a greater risk of Type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

Meanwhile the mice who received the Nobiletin did not suffer from these conditions. The substance was shown to prevent fat buildup in the liver by stimulating the gene expression involved in burning extra fat, meanwhile inhibiting genes that create fat.

"The Nobiletin-treated mice were basically protected from obesity," said Murray Huff, the Director of the Vascular Biology Research Group at Robarts...