Development of a cardioprotective functional food
Fruit and vegetable components affect the cardiovascular system in both antioxidant and non-antioxidant ways. The mechanisms of their actions are, however, still not well understood, says Professor Asim K. Duttaroy from the Faculty of Medicine, UiO.
Asim K. Duttaroy
The compounds present in fruits and vegetables may function individually or in concert to protect lipoproteins and vascular cells from oxidation or by other mechanisms such as reducing plasma lipid levels, high blood pressure, and platelet hyperactivity.
– The data from our lab and others indicate that kiwifruit is beneficial in the prevention of cardiovascular disease, says professor Duttaroy. Consumption of two or three fruit per day for 28 days or more lowers platelet hyperactivity, plasma lipids, and blood pressure in human volunteers.
We have now developed a sugar free kiwifruit extract (KFE) which is water soluble, heat stable with molecular mass less than 1000 Da. This KFE inhibited platelet aggregation, plasma angiotenisin converting enzyme (ACE). A small human trial indicated the bioavailability of the cardio-protective compounds after 2 hours of consuming the KFE. These studies suggest that KFE may provide a new dietary means as part of a preventive or therapeutic strategy to favorably modify cardiovascular risk factors. The new harmacological agents derived from kiwifruits may be useful as leads to develop as effective cardiovascular drugs.