Citrus Flavonoids and the Prevention of Atherosclerosis

Epidemiological studies have demonstrated that diets rich in fruits and vegetables can prevent or delay the onset of many chronic diseases including cardiovascular disease (CVD). While more current research has begun to focus on the effects of specific polyphenol compounds found in fruits and vegetables, mechanistic insights have been hampered by the multiple simultaneous effects these compounds may have on the disease process. In this article, we review the basic research studies that have evaluated the effects of citrus flavonoids to: improve dyslipidemia, normalize glucose homeostasis, prevent oxidative stress, and attenuate inflammation, which collectively have the ability to enhance metabolic health and improve CVD risk.