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Grapefruit’s bitter taste is caused the presence of the flavonoid naringin, which is metabolized into naringenin, an antioxidant previously reported to help lower cholesterol levels.
But new research indicates that naringenin could also block the secretion of hepatitis C virus (HCV) from infected cells. This discovery could eventually allow for a new way for patients to clear the virus from their livers.
HCV is the leading cause of chronic viral liver disease in the United States. Current medications are effective in only half of infected patients.
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