FLAVIOLA

Targeted delivery of dietary flavanols for optimal human cell function: Effect on cardiovascular health

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 Obiettivo del progetto (Objective)

'Nutrition, i.e. our daily diet, is a major life style factor, greatly impacting on human health and disease. Epidemiological evidence suggests that diets rich in plant-based foods and beverages decrease the risk for cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Various phytochemical constituents, in particular a class of compounds called flavanols, have been avidly investigated in recent years. Current dietary interventions in humans using flavanol-containing foods have substantiated epidemiological data indicating various potential dietary flavanol-mediated bioactivities, including improved vascular function, decreased blood pressure, attenuated platelet clotting, and improved immune responses. Latest innovations in flavanol analytics, chemistry, food processing technology, and cardiovascular function analysis make the elucidation of underlying mechanisms of flavanol bioactivity not just possible, but also impactful with regard to dietary advice and public health. Thus, a practical application of novel findings emanating from flavanol research in terms of a science/evidence-based development represents a worthwhile endeavour. This entails development of novel food ingredients, and innovative nutrient-delivery matrices. Such novel, nutritionally responsible food formulations hold the potential to open novel avenues in the prevention and amelioration of cardiovascular diseases in Europe. FLAVIOLA aims at: (i) illuminating the cellular and sub-cellular effects of flavanols and their main human metabolites; (ii) investigating key parameters of dietary flavanol absorption, clearance and efficacy towards surrogate markers of cardiovascular function in humans; (iii) developing innovative, functional, and nutritionally responsible food matrices for optimised dietary flavanol delivery; and finally (iv) demonstrating cardiovascular benefits and safety for a newly developed prototype food product.'

Introduzione (Teaser)

Good lifestyle and nutrition are vital to promoting health. Outcomes of initial clinical dietary intervention studies have indicated that plant-based diets, rich in flavanols, effectively reduce the risk for cardiovascular morbidity and mortality.

Descrizione progetto (Article)

The EU-funded http://www.flaviola.org/ (FLAVIOLA) project investigated the impact of flavanol consumption in the EU and developed cocoa flavanol (CF)-rich food product prototypes. Comprehensive studies were carried out to assess dietary sources and average habitual intake of flavanols, such as epicatechin and catechin, and of their oligomeric derivatives, the proanthocyanidins (PAs) in Europe. This work was based on utilizing the FLAVIOLA Food Composition Database (developed by project members), and revealed that tea, pome fruit (apples, pears etc.), berries, cocoa products and stone fruit are major contributors to the total dietary intake amount of flavanols in the EU.

Moreover, researchers addressed previously existing gaps in our knowledge with regard to flavanols, FLAVIOLA developed and validated innovative analytical methods to assess the absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion (ADME) of flavanols following dietary intake, and to study their biomedical effects in rigorous clinical dietary intervention studies and population-based epidemiological investigations.

For the first time, a method for the analysis of CFs and PAs in food products received an accreditation by the Association of Analytical Communities (AOAC). Another significant milestone of FLAVIOLA was the development for use in the clinical studies of standardized CF-containing food product prototypes along with adequate flavanol-free controls that are matched to CF-containing test products with regard to macro-, micro-nutrient content, caloric density, and orosensory properties, thus providing a fully valid placebo control.

Study outcomes comprehensively demonstrate CF-mediated cardiovascular health benefits in healthy men and women. CF intake significantly improved parameters of cardiovascular function including arterial flow-mediated dilation and blood pressure. In the elderly, CF-rich diets helped to reverse age-related increases in blood pressure and vascular stiffness, thereby improving blood circulation. No significant intra- and inter-individual variability in flavanol ADME was found across study populations, thus corroborating the tenability for developing population-based CF intake guidelines.

The outcomes of FLAVIOLA have provided novel and innovative data and furthered our knowledge about dietary flavanols and their beneficial effects on cardiovascular health. Project outcomes have thereby laid solid foundations for future research into innovative therapeutic- and dietary strategies to improve cardiovascular health and to support healthy aging.