Hesperidin: Frequently Asked Questions Answered
What is Hesperidin?
Hesperidin is a plant-derived natural medicine. Hesperidin was first extracted from the whitish layer underneath the peel of an orange in 1828 by French chemist Lebreton. Hesperidin is a flavonoid, meaning it is a phenolic compound- bound to sugar as glycosides formulations. Hesperidin is commonly extracted from citrus fruits such as lemons and oranges. Lime and grapefruit are also considered to be rich sources.
What are the uses of Hesperidin?
Our body breaks down Hesperidin into its chemically active form called hesperetin by removing the attached sugar. Hesperetin acts as an antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and a mild anti-allergic. It is given as supplements along with diosmin to treat patients with circulatory problems such as haemorrhoids, leg sores, and swelling in the legs due to venous insufficiency. Uses of Hesperidin in other disease processes such as obesity and hypertension are under active research.