.jpg) Flavanoids are a class of plants' secondary metabolites. Flavanoids are most commonly known for their antioxidant activity, but recently new mechanisms have been discovered that demonstrate just how powerful these groups of compounds are against Cancer and Heart diseases.
Flavanoids are synthesized by the phenylpropanoid metabolic pathway.
Flavanoids are widely distributed in plants fulfilling many functions including producing yellow or red/blue pigmentation in flowers and protection from attack by microbes and insects.
Flavanoids have been referred to as “nature’s biological response modifiers” because of strong experimental evidence of their inherent ability to modify the body’s reaction to allergens, viruses, and carcinogens. They show anti-allergic , anti-inflammatory , and anti-microbial activity..jpg)
The huge increase in antioxidant capacity of blood seen after the consumption of flavonoid-rich foods is not caused directly by the flavonoids themselves, but most likely is due to the increased uric acid levels that result in the body; the body sees them as foreign compounds and is trying to get rid of them. This process of “getting rid” of foreign compounds helps to eliminate other carcinogens.
Current Scientific Studies
Polyphenols derived from the Olive Tree 1:
The olive tree, Olea europaea, is native to the Mediterranean basin and parts of Asia Minor. The fruit and the leaf have a wide range of therapeutic and culinary applications. Polyphenols constitute a major component of the "Mediterranean diet." The chief active components of the olive include oleic acid, phenolic constituents, and squalene. The main phenolics include hydroxytyrosol, tyrosol, and oleuropein, and have demonstrated antioxidant activity.
Antioxidants are believed to be responsible for a number of olive biological activities. Polyphenols have been widely studied for their effects on coronary heart disease (CHD), specifically for their ability to reduce blood pressure and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol. Antimicrobial activity of hydroxytyrosol, tyrosol, and oleuropein has been demonstrated against several strains of bacteria implicated in intestinal and respiratory infections.
CONCLUSION:It has been shown that Polyphenol-rich diets could increase the resistance of human LDL to invitro oxidation which is postulated to play an important role in the development of atherosclerotic (Plaque) lesions.
Food supplement with Olea europaea L extract reduces blood pressure in borderline identical twins 2:
Hypertension is a harmful disease factor that develops unnoticed over time. The treatment of hypertension is aimed at an early diagnosis followed by adequate lifestyle changes rather than pharmacological treatment. The Olea europaea L extract, having antihypertensive actions in rats, was tested as a food supplement in an open study including 40 borderline hypertensive monozygotic twins.
CONCLUSION: The study confirmed the antihypertensive and cholesterol-lowering action of the Olea europaea L extract in humans.
Effect of virgin olive oil phenolic compounds on invitro oxidation of human low density lipoproteins 3:
Substantial evidence suggests that oxidative modifications of low density lipoproteins (LDL) critically contribute to the pathogenesis and progression of human atherosclerosis. Oxidized LDL (oxLDL) is present in atherosclerotic plaques and contain oxysterols that exhibit a variety of adverse biological activities. Antioxidants have also been shown to prevent LDL modification. We have therefore assessed the efficacy of virgin olive oil phenolic compounds in preventing oxidative modifications of human LDL oxidized by UV light.
CONCLUSIONS: The beneficial effects of a Mediterranean diet may be ascribable not only to the high unsaturated/saturated fatty acid ratio characteristic of olive oil, but also to the unique antioxidant properties of its phenolic compounds.
The Science of Resveratrol
Several studies have shown that Resveratrol inhibits lipid pre-oxidation of low-density lipoprotein (LDL), prevents the cytotoxicity of oxidized LDL, and protects cells against lipi.jpg) d peroxidation.
It is thought that, because it contains highly hydrophilic and lipophilic properties, it can provide more effective protection than other well-known antioxidants, such as Vitamin C and Vitamin E.
Reduced platelet aggregation (blood clotting) has also been demonstrated in studies on Resveratrol, further contributing to its prevention of atherosclerosis.
Current Scientific Studies
Resveratrol, a phytoestrogen found in red wine, a possible explanation for the conundrum of the ‘French paradox'?4
Certain populations, e.g. the French and the Greek, suffer little heart disease despite a diet which is relatively high in fat. It has been proposed that regular consumption of red wine in moderate amounts may explain this phenomenon, which has been dubbed the ‘French paradox'. Resveratrol, a compound found in grapes and wine in significant amounts, was implicated in this beneficial action of red wine because of its ability to act as an antioxidant and an inhibitor of platelet aggregation.
Gehm et al. have now reported on a fascinating new facet of this compound. On the basis of the structural similarity of resveratrol (trans-3,40 ,5-trihydroxystilbene) to the synthetic estrogen diethylstilbestrol (4,40 -dihy- droxy-trans-a,b-diethylstilbene), these authors hypothesized that it might be a phytoestrogen. Given the known cardioprotective benefits of estrogens, this speculation appeared particularly appealing.
Using several experimental approaches, Gehm et al. found that resveratrol is indeed a phytoestrogen.
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