Limonene
Limonene has been studied in 3 papers since 2017: 2 observational studies in people, 1 in animals. The newest paper, Jan 10, 2025: “Positive Correlation Between Serum Limonene Levels and Muscle Health in a Representative Adult Population in the United States”.
“The β coefficient for combined grip strength was 2.409 (S.E. = 0.891, p = 0.015).”
None of its findings points the other way.
- 2 independent labs in 2 countries
- Funder: National Science and Technology Council
- Humans2
- Model organisms1
What did studies of Limonene find?
3Studies of Limonene measured 3 outcomes; the most studied are fecundity (1 study), lifespan (1) and mortality (1).
Fecundity
upin C. capitata1
1 study
Fecundity
upin C. capitata1
Limonene increases fecundity in C. capitata.
“Fecundity was positively affected when females were exposed to limonene sub-lethal doses.”
Model organismssub-lethal dosesfemales
PloS one
Lifespan
upin C. capitata1
1 study
Lifespan
upin C. capitata1
Limonene extends lifespan in C. capitata.
“Sub-lethal doses of limonene (LD20) enhanced the lifespan of adult medflies when they were deprived of protein.”
Model organismsprotein deprivation (sugar only diet)LD20
PloS one
Mortality
upin C. capitata1
1 study
Mortality
upin C. capitata1
Limonene increases mortality in C. capitata.
“all three compounds inferred high toxicity to adult medflies regardless of the diet, with males being more sensitive than females.”
Model organismsat increased doses
PloS one
What is Limonene linked with?
4Studies link Limonene with 4 measures, most often lean muscle mass (1 study), hand grip strength (1) and appendicular skeletal muscle mass index (1).
Lean muscle mass
upin humans1
1 study
Lean muscle mass
upin humans1
Limonene is associated with lean muscle mass in humans (β = 0.138, SE = 0.041, p = 0.004).
“The β coefficient for the Appendicular Skeletal Muscle Mass Index (ASMI) was 0.138 (S.E. = 0.041, p = 0.004).”
Humansplasma-serumn = 1,202
Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland)
Hand grip strength
upin humans1
1 study
Hand grip strength
upin humans1
Limonene is associated with hand grip strength in humans (β = 2.409, SE = 0.891, p = 0.015).
“The β coefficient for combined grip strength was 2.409 (S.E. = 0.891, p = 0.015).”
Humansplasma-serumn = 1,202
Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland)
Appendicular skeletal muscle mass index
upin humans1
1 study
Appendicular skeletal muscle mass index
upin humans1
Limonene is associated with appendicular skeletal muscle mass index in humans (ß = 0.138, S.E. = 0.041, P = 0.004).
“The ß coefficient for the appendicular skeletal muscle mass index (ASMI) was 0.138 (S.E. = 0.041, P = 0.004).”
Humansserumn = 1,202
Research SquarePreprint
Combined grip strength
upin humans1
1 study
Combined grip strength
upin humans1
Limonene is associated with combined grip strength in humans (ß = 2.409, S.E. = 0.891, P = 0.015).
“The coefficient (ß) for combined grip strength was 2.409 (S.E. = 0.891, P = 0.015).”
Humansserumn = 1,202
Research SquarePreprint