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A Spanish study called "Association of Microbiota Polyphenols with Cardiovascular Health in the Context of a Mediterranean Diet" has found new evidence that a Mediterranean diet can lead to better heart health. This is mainly due to phenolic metabolites that are formed during the digestion of wine and healthy foods. The study is remarkable in that it examines how our bodies metabolise the polyphenols found in food and wine and how these polyphenols might help our bodies at the molecular level.
Scientists have long known about the potential health benefits of the Mediterranean diet, which primarily includes the consumption of fruits, vegetables, seafood, nuts, whole grains and olive oil, as well as moderate wine consumption. These benefits are likely due in part to the high levels of polyphenols, organic compounds found in fruits, vegetables, chocolate, tea and wine.
However, how polyphenols behave in the body is not yet well understood. Studies have shown that many polyphenols are rapidly broken down. Relatively few of the antioxidants in a kale salad or a glass of Cabernet reach the bloodstream in their original form. Instead of being absorbed in the small intestine, many polyphenols enter the large intestine where they are converted into related compounds. These microbial polyphenols may have different health effects than their precursor molecules. And this metabolisation seems to be crucial for the unfolding of their health benefits.
For the current findings, the Spanish researchers analysed data from the Predimed study, a randomised controlled trial of the ability of the Mediterranean diet to prevent cardiovascular disease in older people. For the new study, researchers randomly selected 200 participants from the PREDIMED study centre in Barcelona and compared the concentrations of five microbial phenolic metabolites in urine samples with adherence to the Mediterranean diet and the participants' cardiovascular health.
They found that people who most consistently followed the Mediterranean diet had the highest levels of microbial polyphenols in their urine, which correlated with better cardiovascular health. Dr Rosa Lamuela-Raventós, the lead author of the study, is a professor of nutrition, food science and gastronomy at the University of Barcelona and a senior researcher at the Spanish Biomedical Research Centre for Physiopathology of Obesity and Nutrition. She told Wine Spectator magazine that the study confirms the link between the Mediterranean diet and health.
The researchers looked for five specific microbial phenolic metabolites: Protocatechuic acid, enterodiol glucuronide, enterolactone glucuronide, urolithin B glucuronide and vanillic acid glucuronide. Protocatechuic acid is found in wine - especially white wine - and has been linked to improved bone mineral density in older women, among other possible benefits. Higher levels of urolithin B-glucuronide have been strongly associated with lower LDL cholesterol levels. Urolithins are found in significant amounts in walnuts, pomegranates and wood-aged red wines.
Since wine is only one part of the Mediterranean diet, the researchers point out that microbial polyphenols only seem to improve heart health when they work as a team. The study was published in the journal Food Research International.
(ru / Source: Wine Spectator)