Abstract

"Fruits and vegetables consumption is inversely associated with coronary heart disease (CHD) risk. The aim of the present study was to determine the effects of supplementation with dehydrated juice concentrates from mixed fruit and vegetables on selected plasma vitamins and antioxidant status. We assessed CHD risk by measuring the concentrations of homocysteine, lipids, lipoproteins, glucose and insulin. Men were recruited to participate in a randomized double-blind, crossover trial with 2 periods of 6 week, separated by a 3-wk wash-out period. Supplementation with the encapsulated mixed extract was compared with physically similar placebo capsules. Thirty-two men (13 smokers, 19 nonsmokers) completed the study with a mean compliance of 88%.

Introduction

"Cardiovascular disease is the largest single cause of death in the United States, the UK and Australia. It is a multifactorial disease, but a fundamental environmental factor is diet. Recent large-scale cohort studies have shown that the risk of coronary heart disease is inversely associated with the intake of vegetables in men and a higher intake of fruits and vegetables is associated with lower risk of myocardial infarction in women (as reported in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition in 2000). This inverse association between fruit and vegetable intake and CHD appears to be consistent across different geographical locations and in populations that differ in lifestyle, gender, and age. These observations have led to continued support for the recommendations to increase the consumption of fruits and vegetables.

The amis of the present study were to determine the bioavailability of selected carotenoids and vitamins from a mixed concentrate of dehydrated fruit and vegetable juice and the insulin resistance in men. We tested the hypothesis that increasing fruit and vegetable intake, in the form of a mixed concentrate derived from juice, has the potential to lower CHD risk in the absence of dietary displacement.

Results

"Thirty-two subjects completed the trial. Smokers and nonsmokers did not differ in their nutrient intakes or any of the biochemical variables. The degree of compliance was estimated as the difference between the number of capsules issued and the number of capsules returned. Apparent compliance [about] 88% as stated above. There were no differences in compliance among smokers and nonsmokers.

Discussion

There are numerous factors that influence homocysteine response. These include defects in the enzymes involved in homocysteine metabolism or suboptimal intake of micronutrients such as vitamins B-6 and B-12. Although tobacco use is associated with hyperhomocysteinemia, there were no significant differences in the homocysteine response between smokers and nonsmokers in the present study.

Plasma concentrations of lipids, glucose and insulin were not affected by supplementation with the fruit and vegetable concentrate. Similarly, it has been shown that a fruit/vegetable concentrate, purified monoterpene supplements and selected phytochemicals with cytochrome [P450-] including activity do not affect plasma lipids. From this limited number of observations, we suggest that minor constituents of fruit and vegetables at the doses provided are unlikely to be involved in the regulation of cholesterol and glucose homeostasis. These observations support the view that fruit and vegetables decrease plasma lipid concentrations by displacing cholesterol-raising constituents of the diet, particulary saturated fat.

In conclusion, supplementation with a mixed fruit and vegetable concentrate increases plasma ascorbic acid, B-carotene and folate, and lowers plasma homocysteine. A large body of evidence suggests that fruits and vegetables lower the risk of heart disease, and the results of the present study suggest that one of the mechanisms, in the absence of dietary displacement, is the reduction of homocysteine."

Notes:

Much of this article is not included due to the length of the published study and the charts displayed. Please refer to the issue cited above. It was the opinion that the basic study, results, and conclusion would be the most relevant portion of the study.

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