Cocoa is a rich source of high-quality antioxidant polyphenols. They comprise mainly catechins (29%-38% of total polyphenols), anthocyanins (4% of total polyphenols) and proanthocyanidins (58%-65% of total polyphenols). A growing body of experimental and epidemiological evidence highlights that the intake of cocoa polyphenols may reduce the risk of cardiovascular events. Beyond antioxidant properties, cocoa polyphenols exert blood pressure lowering activity, antiplatelet, anti-inflammatory, metabolic and anti-atherosclerotic effects, and also improve endothelial function. This paper reviews the role of cocoa polyphenols in cardiovascular protection, with a special focus on mechanisms of action, clinical relevance and correlation between antioxidant activity and cardiovascular health.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/diseases4040039 | DOI Listing |
Am J Clin Nutr
January 2025
Department of Nutrition, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Epidemiology, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA; Channing Division of Network Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA. Electronic address:
Background: Lignans are polyphenolic compounds abundant in plant-based foods such as seeds, whole grains, and certain fruits and vegetables and may lead to favorable metabolic health. It remains to be elucidated regarding the role of lignan consumption in the etiology of premature deaths among individuals with diabetes.
Objectives: To prospectively examine the association between post-diagnosis lignan intake and mortality among individuals with type 2 diabetes (T2D).
Nutrients
December 2024
Orthodontics, Department of Conservative Odontology, Faculty of Dental Medicine, "Iuliu Hațieganu" University of Medicine and Pharmacy Cluj-Napoca, 400012 Cluj-Napoca, Romania.
Background: Inflammation-induced oxidative stress is a pathophysiological mechanism of inflammatory diseases. Treatments targeting oxidative stress can reduce inflammatory tissue damage.
Objectives: This study aimed to conduct phytochemical analysis and evaluate the antioxidant effects of the hydroalcoholic extract of blossoms () and rhizomes ().
Foods
January 2025
Research Group of Food Quality and Safety, Instituto de Investigación e Innovación Agroalimentaria y Agroambiental (CIAGRO-UMH), Universidad Miguel Hernández de Elche, Ctra. Beniel, km 3.2, 03312 Orihuela, Spain.
This study aimed to investigate the nutritional value and potential for herbal tea production of two species . The analysis includes the quantification of lipids, proteins, organic acids (HPLC-MS), sugars (HPLC-MS), phenolic compounds (HPLC-MS-MS), volatile compounds (GC-MS), fatty acids (GC-MS), amino acids (HPLC-MS-MS), some minerals (ICP-MS), total phenolic content, and antioxidant activities of flowers (EBF) and thorns (EBT), as well as flowers (EPF) and thorns (EPT). The results indicate that EPF and EPT exhibit elevated levels of protein (11.
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January 2025
Department of Gastronomy Science and Functional Foods, Faculty of Food Science and Nutrition, Poznan University of Life Sciences, Wojska Polskiego 31, 61-624 Poznan, Poland.
Legumes are an interesting matrix for food production. The aim of this study was to develop functional plant-based snacks using fermented red bean (RBB) seeds enriched with the following additives: marjoram-RBM (2%); carrot-RBC (30%); and red beetroot-RBRB (15%). In the process of constructing the snacks, the focus was on the maximum use of the raw material, including aquafaba, to improve nutritional properties, sensory acceptability, and biological activity.
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January 2025
Department of Food Engineering, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Cluj-Napoca, 3-5 Calea Mănăştur, 400372 Cluj-Napoca, Romania.
The solid waste generated from processing rosehip fruits into jam is valuable due to its rich content in fibres, polyphenols, and carotenoids; it could be valorised as a functional ingredient in a powder form to enrich food products. This study aimed to test its potential as a value-added ingredient, especially to enrich waffle cones with fibres, polyphenols, and carotenoids. In this regard, four formulations of waffle cones were prepared by partially substituting wheat flour with rosehip waste powder at 0%, 10%, 15%, and 20%, reaching concentrations of 0%, 3.
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