Evidence for a protective effect of polyphenols-containing foods on cardiovascular health: an update for clinicians

Abstract

Growing evidence suggests that polyphenols could be serious candidates to explain the protective effects of plant-derived foods and beverages. Based on current studies, a general consensus has been achieved to sustain the hypothesis that the specific intake of foods and beverages containing relatively high concentrations of flavonoids may play a meaningful role in reducing cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk through an improvement in vascular function and a modulation of inflammation. This review aims at providing an update on the effects of the consumption of polyphenols-rich foods on intermediate clinical markers of CVD in humans, namely cholesterolemia, blood pressure, endothelial function and platelet function. To date, on the basis of clinical studies, the demonstration is particularly convincing for flavonoids from cocoa-derived products and to a lesser extent for those of tea. While additional studies in this area are clearly needed, incorporating plant foods that are rich in flavanols in the diet of healthy individuals could help to reduce CVD risk. For flavonoids from fruits such as berries, pomegranate, grapes or citrus fruits and those from beverages such as red wine or coffee, the evidence is so far inconclusive. This is primarily due to the limited number and the weakness of experimental designs of the studies performed with these dietary sources. Future long-term well-designed investigations with polyphenols-rich foods but also with isolated phenolic compounds would provide valuable information to establish public health recommendations on polyphenols, taking into account both the nature of the compounds and the optimal dose, for cardiovascular health protection. Therapeutic Advances in Chronic Disease 3 (2) 88 http://taj.sagepub.com mediators. The early phase of atherosclerosis is characterized by the accumulation of cholesterol deposits in macrophages in the intima of the arteries. These foam cells can aggregate to form fatty streaks that progressively mature into a fibrous plaque which is a hallmark of established atherosclerosis. Fibrous plaque is covered by a connective tissue cap with embedded smooth muscle cells. If the plaque continues to grow, it gradually restricts the blood flow causing ischaemia. The clinically important complications of atheroma usually involve rupture of the fibrous cap, causing exposure of highly thrombogenic collagen and resulting intraluminal thrombus. Activated platelets trigger vasoconstriction and further propagation of the thrombus, which may result in total cease in blood flow, and subsequent clinical event. KeywordsEvidence from epidemiological studies indicates a positive association between reduction in the incidence of CVD and consumption of plant-based foods such as fruit and vegetables, nuts, whole grains, plant-derived beverages [Dauchet et al. 2005;Hu and Willett, 2002]. In 2009, Dauchet and collaborators offered a review on the evidence for a relationship between fruit and vegetable consumption and the occurrence of CVD events [Dauchet et a...

Structure–activity relationship of immunomodulating pectins from elderberries

“…They can be divided into 6 major subclasses as a function of the type of heterocycle involved: flavonols, flavones, isoflavones, flavanones, anthocyanidins, and flavanols, while those that are comparatively minor components of the diet are dihydroflavonols, flavan-3,4-diols, chalcones, dihydrochalcones and aurones [28]. The basic flavonoid skeleton can have numerous substituents.…”

“…Chemically, flavonols differ from many other flavonoids since they have a double bond between C2-C3 and a hydroxyl group (OH) in position three of the C-ring (3-hydroxyflavones) [28]. The majority of flavonols are present as O-glycosides.…”

Antioxidant Capacity, Mineral Content and Sensory Properties of Gluten-Free Rice and Buckwheat Cookies

“…Although offi cial dietary intake of polyphenols and rutin has not yet been established, the total dietary intake of polyphenols was recommended to be 1 g per day (39) or about 1.2 g per day (40 % of fl avonoids, 60 % of pheno- Control=rice fl our cookies, sample 1=rice fl our cookies containing 10 % light buckwheat fl our, sample 2=rice fl our cookies containing 20 % light buckwheat fl our, sample 3=rice fl our cookies containing 30 % light buckwheat fl our Control=rice fl our cookies, sample 1=rice fl our cookies containing 10 % light buckwheat fl our, sample 2=rice fl our cookies containing 20 % light buckwheat fl our, sample 3=rice fl our cookies containing 30 % light buckwheat fl our lic acids) (40), while the intake of 10-25 mg per day of rutin for adults and 5-10 mg per day for children are considered safe (41). In this view, 100 g of cookies with 30 % light buckwheat fl our, which contain the highest amount of polyphenols and rutin among the examined cookies (Table 4), could contribute to approx.…”

Phytochemical uptake following human consumption of Montmorency tart cherry (L. Prunus cerasus) and influence of phenolic acids on vascular smooth muscle cells in vitro

“…Epidemiologic studies have shown that consumption of food and beverages containing polyphenols are associated with reduced cardiovascular morbidity and mortality [1,2].…”