The bitter taste of grapefruit and other citrus fruits could hold the key to fighting type II diabetes, the lifestyle disease that can lead to heart problems, without needing powerful drugs. Naringin is an antioxidant in the fruits that causes the bitter flavour – and scientists think it can help the liver break down fat while increasing insulin sensitivity, thus reversing diabetes. The antioxidant also mimics the actions of powerful anti-diabetes drugs, but without all the possible side effects. In initial tests, researchers at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem have discovered that naringin has the same positive benefits to the liver as a long fast. During fasting, the liver eventually starts to break down fatty acids instead of carbohydrates. (Source: PLoS ONE, 2010; 5: e12399).
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