Neohesperidin

Why You Need It

• Natural Sweetness without Calories: It is 1,500 times sweeter than sugar, making it a potent tool for reducing sugar intake.
• Antioxidant Powerhouse: It helps neutralize free radicals, reducing oxidative damage in the body.
• Anti-inflammatory Support: Early research suggests it may help modulate inflammatory pathways.
• Vascular Health: Like other citrus bioflavonoids, it may support healthy blood vessel function.

Deep Dive

Neohesperidin is primarily valued for its ability to transform the food landscape without the metabolic cost of sugar. When you consume it, the compound interacts with sweet taste receptors on your tongue, triggering a sweet sensation that is slow-onset and lingering.

Biologically, it functions as an antioxidant. It scavenges reactive oxygen species (ROS), which are unstable molecules that damage DNA and proteins. By stabilizing these molecules, it supports overall cellular longevity. While it is chemically similar to Hesperidin (found in sweet oranges), Neohesperidin (found in bitter oranges) has a glucose molecule attached at a different position, which unlocks that unique sweetness profile.

Natural Food Sources

Neohesperidin is not found in sweet oranges (like Valencia or Navel). It is strictly concentrated in immature (green) citrus fruits.

Supplementation

While you can eat bitter oranges, they are quite sour and astringent. Most people encounter Neohesperidin as an ingredient in:

• Toothpaste: Used to mask bitterness of ingredients.
• Dietary Supplements: Often found in 'Citrus Bioflavonoid' complexes.
• Natural Sweeteners: Sold as NHDC (E 959).

Dosage: There is no official RDA. As a sweetener, it is used in milligram quantities (often 10-30mg per serving). As a supplement, typical doses range from 100-500mg daily, but specific protocols vary by product.