Phenolic compounds may explain Mediterranean diet benefits ( Phenolic compounds in olive oil which ...)

Phenolic compounds may explain Mediterranean diet benefits

Phenolic compounds in olive oil, which have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-clotting properties, may explain cardiovascular health benefits associated with the so-called Mediterranean Diet, according to a new study in the Nov. 15, 2005, issue of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.

"It could be that the beneficial effect of the Mediterranean diet on cardiovascular disease and arteriosclerosis depends on the synergistic effects of the different nutrients that constitute complete foods and, as an example, virgin olive oil is more than fat because it is a real juice with other healthy micronutrients," said Francisco Pérez Jiménez, M.D., Ph.D., from the Reina Sofia University Hospital in Córdoba, Spain.

The researchers, including lead author Juan Ruano, M.D., Ph.D., fed breakfasts including olive oil (that was either high or low in phenolic content) to 21 study participants (5 men, 16 women) who had high cholesterol levels, but were otherwise apparently healthy. The functioning of the endothelium (the inner lining) of small blood vessels of the fingers (instead of "in the arms") of participants and the concentrations of certain components in blood serum, including nitric oxide, improved after the polyphenol-rich breakfast.

"This is the first study that shows a direct benefit of an olive oil with high content in phenolic compounds on endothelial function in vivo," Dr. Pérez Jiménez said.

After fasting overnight, the participants reported to the hospital, where they ate a breakfast of 60 grams of white bread with 40 milliliters of virgin olive oil, a relatively high-fat meal. The meals also included vitamin A supplementation. Over the next four hours, blood samples were taken and the researchers used Doppler laser to measure endothelial responses to sudden changes in blood flow, which were produced by inflating and then deflating a blood pressure cuff. The response is known as ischemic reactive hyperemia. Poor responsiv
'"/>

Source:American College of Cardiology

Page: 1 2 3
Related biology news :

1. Researchers discover chemical compounds that affect plant growth
2. Bacterial genome sheds light on synthesizing cancer-fighting compounds
3. Scientists discover the bodys marijuana-like compounds are crucial for stress-induced pain relief
4. Evolution of taste receptor may have shaped human sensitivity to toxic compounds
5. Novel compounds show promise as safer, more potent insecticides
6. Metal-containing compounds show promise as HIV weapon
7. Seaweed yields new compounds with pharmaceutical potential
8. Marijuana-like compounds suppress the immune response
9. Legume compounds may help cancer treatment
10. Microbes transform safest PBDEs into more harmful compounds
11. Harvard scientists identify compounds that stimulate stem cell growth in the brain

Post Your Comments:

( Phenolic compounds in olive oil which ...)Phenolic compounds may explain Mediterranean diet benefits