Reference Number: 49
Year: 2013
Link: Link to original paper
Health: Heart Disease
Nutrition: Polyphenols
Summary
Summary
Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are important in normal cellular function and physiology. However, oxidative stress resulting from an accumulation of ROS has a detrimental impact on cellular function, and ROS has been implicated in the pathogenesis of a number of diseases, including cardiovascular diseases. This review provides a summary of the impact of ROS on cardiovascular health and diseases, highlighting the therapeutic use of antioxidants. In addition, this review summarizes the health benefits of polyphenols, and the recent progress on understanding the cellular and physiological actions by which polyphenols may impart their beneficial properties on cardiovascular health.
SIGNIFICANCE OF THIS STUDY
The current review focusses on the role of polyphenols in cardiovascular health. The main antioxidant property of polyphenols (or the ability of polyphenols to mop up harmful molecules in our blood stream) provides these compounds to protect us from cardiovascular disease. Wholegrains are particularity rich in a range of polyphenols such ferrulic acid present in wheat and rye. Moreover, studies have shown the the process of sourdough fermentation and germination have the abilities to increases the overall polyphenol content of these wholegrains thereby providing us with added health benefits.
