UK: Genetically tweaked red oranges may provide health benefits
The distinctive colouring of blood oranges is believed to have healthy qualities that orange oranges are lacking.
A recent study found that drinking blood orange juice with a full English breakfast could reduce the harmful effects of all the fat it contains.
Scientists have now identified the gene which makes the fruit red and how it is activated - which raises the possibility of being able to "switch on"its effects in other varieties.
This would lead to a wider access of the benefits of blood oranges, which can only be grown commercially in Sicily currently as they require very specific climates.
Professor Cathie Martin, who led the research team from the John Innes Centre in Norwich, said: "Blood oranges contain naturally occurring pigments associated with improved cardiovascular health, controlling diabetes and reducing obesity.
"Our improved understanding of this trait could offer relatively straightforward solutions to growing blood oranges reliably in warmer climates through genetic engineering."
A 2010 study demonstrated that blood orange consumption was able to protect laboratory mice fed on a high fat diet, from obesity. The mice involved developed a significantly lower amount of white fats - 30% - than those given only water or ordinary orange juice.
A test batch of genetically created blood oranges is being grown now in Valencia. Speaking at a press conference in London, Prof Martin said: "Hopefully in the near future, seven years down the line, we will have blood orange varieties which can be grown in the major orange growing areas like Brazil and Florida. So blood orange juice will become more available worldwide and the healthy properties enjoyed by more and more people."
Source: www.dailymail.co.uk
