What is hesperidin?

Hesperidin is a plant chemical that is classified as a bioflavonoid - in short, it is a flavonoid. It is found mainly in citrus fruits, and many people use it as a remedy for certain medical problems.


Hesperidin is hydrolysed by gut microflora when ingested orally and then absorbed in the large intestine, while hesperetin, the aglycone form of hesperidin, is absorbed mainly in the small intestine. Hesperidin exerts immunoregulatory properties by altering the composition of lymphocytes in the intestinal mucosa and gut-associated lymphoid tissues.


Hesperidin - taken as such or in combination with other flavonoids from citrus fruits (such as diosmin) - is most commonly used for blood vessel disorders such as haemorrhoids, varicose veins (varicose veins) and poor blood circulation - venous stasis. As a dietary supplement, it usually comes in capsule form, in combination with diosmin taken once a day.


Recent research shows that due to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, hesperidin possesses a variety of biological effects in cardiovascular disease and diabetes as well as for cancer prevention. In addition, in animal studies, hesperidin's antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects have been shown to alleviate symptoms of the neurodegenerative diseases of Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and Huntington's diseases, as well as depression and neuroimmune multiple sclerosis. In short, the beneficial effects of hesperidin depend largely on its radical scavenging activities and enhancement of cellular antioxidant mechanisms.

 

How does hesperidin work? 

Researchers say the substance may help blood vessels function better and may also reduce inflammation in the body. Don't forget that hesperidin is one of the most common flavanones, and scientific studies indicate, as we said, that the substance may help prevent cardiovascular disease and cancer. However, it's good to know that scientific evidence is largely limited to studies in laboratory animals.