Sicilian Blood Orange Extract May Provide Weight and Fat Loss Benefits

The Moro blood orange is a specific variety of orange with crimson, almost blood-colored flesh. A specific Moro orange grown in Sicily, Italy has high levels of anthocyanins in the dark flesh of the fruit. A recent study has found that a Sicilian Moro orange extract, when combined with a sensible diet and exercise, may provide incremental weight and fat loss benefits – and help reduce the body mass index (BMI).

98 overweight, healthy adults participated in the study. They were given 400 mg of Moro blood orange extract or a placebo daily for 6 months. All participants were told to follow a calorie restricted diet and to walk for 30 minutes 3 times per week. The researchers measured body weight, BMI, hip and waist circumference, and fat mass at baseline and at the end of the study period.

Participants in the blood orange group had a 4.2% reduction in starting body weight compared to a 2.2% reduction in the placebo group. They also saw a significant reduction in BMI and hip and waist circumference compared to the placebo group.

The study was conducted by researchers from the University of Queensland. It was published online ahead of print on January 18, 2022 in the journal Nutrients.

A previous study found that red chili and fenugreek may help with weight management.