摘要
Increasing epidemiological evidence suggests inverse association between consumption of diets rich in fruits andvegetables and the incidence of cardiovascular diseases (CVD), metabolic syndrome disorders, certain types of cancer,neurodegenerative disorders, and other forms of human chronic diseases. This may be due to the contents of somebioactive phytochemicals, especially polyphenols, which are abundant in fruits and vegetables and have antioxidanteffects. Berry fruits are reported to have the highest total antioxidant capacity (TAC) among fruits. They may protectagainst CVD and hypertension either directly or in tandem with other cellular mechanisms. Blueberry anthocyaninshave been reported to exhibit cardiovascular protective health effects by preventing cholesterol-induced atherosclerosis, and reduction of oxidative and inflammatory damages to the endothelium through several mechanisms. Suchmechanisms may involve suppressing the release of inflammatory mediators, protection against ischemic damageof the heart as well as cardiomyocyte survival, lower systolic and mean arterial pressures and renal nitrite content inaddition to multiple other beneficial effects. However, several limitations in existing studies make it difficult to drawconclusions regarding the preventive effects of blueberries and other polyphenols-rich foods, especially as data supporting a causal relationship between direct antioxidant capacity and CVD are insufficient or limited. It is also unclear,which molecules exert this effect since few studies with isolated polyphenols have been conducted in addition to alack of proper understanding of other mechanisms that may be involved. This review is, therefore aimed at discussingsome of the current literature information on the cardiovascular protective effects of blueberries with suggestions forfuture research directions.
基金
supported by funding from the George Washington Carver Agricultural Experiment Station,Tuskegee University,Tuskegee,Alabama,USA.
