Euromed’s new Wellemon lemon extract demonstrates high-flavanone content

20 Jul 2021 --- Euromed’s new lemon-based botanical ingredient Wellemon may have better bioavailability than orange extract, according to a recent clinical study. The extract is poised to meet health needs as it is a rich source of eriocitrin – a secondary plant substance with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. 

In addition to cardiovascular and metabolic health, possible applications for the extract include vascular health, healthy aging and nutricosmetics.

“The Mediterranean diet, with a high intake of fruits and vegetables, stands out as particularly heart-friendly and health-promoting,” says Andrea Zangara, head of scientific communications and marketing. 

“Citrus fruits play an important role in that eating pattern, especially in the winter months due to their rich source of flavanones, such as eriocitrin.”

Euromed’s eriocitrin-standardized compound is obtained from sustainably sourced Spanish whole lemons and processed with the company’s proprietary, water-only extraction technology, the Pure-Hydro Process. 

Identifying flavanones
To examine the health potential of citrus fruits more closely, CEBAS-CSIC – a research center within the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC) – conducted an acute clinical study to compare the eriocitrin-rich Wellemon extract with a hesperidin-rich orange extract. 

Hesperidin is a flavanone also known for its anti-inflammatory and protective effects but has low bioavailability due to poor water solubility. 

Euromed’s lemon extract yielded more bioavailable metabolites than hesperidin.The study results revealed that Euromed’s lemon extract yielded more bioavailable metabolites than hesperidin and may therefore provide more effective health benefits. 

In addition, the pharmacokinetic study showed for the first time in humans that intake of eriocitrin from lemon extract yields both lemon and orange metabolites. This is due to hesperetin-eriodictyol interconversion, exclusive to the eriocitrin metabolite. 

By doing so, Wellemon can provide a higher total concentration of bioactive metabolites not achievable with the intake of hesperidin alone. 

Effects in the body
The researchers also analyzed changes in metabolic markers after a high-fat, high-sugar meal in 16 study participants. The overall excretion of metabolites was substantially higher after consuming lemon extract, as indicated by the participants’ blood and urine samples. 

Moreover, there is high interindividual variability in the production of derived bioactive intestinal metabolites. Wellemon intake may be sufficient to exert health benefits even in so-called low-producer individuals, reducing interindividual variability and overcoming poor hesperidin bioavailability. 

It is also worth noting, that the systolic blood pressure remained stable in subjects consuming Wellemon, but increased slightly in those supplementing orange extract.

Coming out soon
Wellemon will officially launch at Vitafoods Europe this October 5-7 as part of the Spain-based company’s line of Mediterranean fruit and vegetable extracts. 

In May, Euromed’s pomegranate concentrate Pomanox was found to improve various skin health parameters. 

Moreover, a study in the US last July found that Euromed’s ABAlife fig extract increased muscle metabolism and promoted insulin sensitivity in mice. 

Citrus has also been the focus of recent NPD in the launch of Youtheory Daily Fat Burner, which contains citrus and chili extracts. 

By Missy Green