A stronger heart with flavonoids

The Authors turned their attention on Mediterranean diet stressing the crucial difference between this kind of diet and the so called Western Diet, that is rich in fats and poor in fibres. “The anthocyanins content of the traditional Mediterranean diet is much higher than that of the Western Diet, which might explain why the Mediterranean diet is cardioprotective” says Michel de Lorgeril, cardiologist, head of the Grenoble group.

However promising these results appear to be, researchers go easy on them. “The cellular mechanisms of the protection are not clearly determined yet- Toufektsian warns- Moreover, there may be differences between humans and rats, for example in terms of flavonoid absorption and metabolism”.

Human volunteers are the target of another phase of the FLORA Project. The Research Laboratories of the Catholic University of Campobasso are studying the process of absorption and metabolism of anthocyanins from blood orange juice- one of the most generous sources of flavonoids- in human body. In this way researchers aim at evaluating how these compounds are absorbed by human body to play their beneficial effects.

The FLORA Project

Funded by the European Commission within the 6th framework program, the FLORA Project aims at gaining further evidence on the dynamics triggered by flavonoids, establishing a forefront in Europe for the study of association among these compounds and cardiovascular disease, myocardial infarction and tumours. FLORA researchers are involved in the field of flavonoids contained in different vegetables, such as corn, tomatoes and an experimental plant called Arabidopsis. Oranges too are other protagonists of this study. They are rich in flavonoids and phenolics by their own nature. FLORA’s oranges have something more: the amount of antioxidant has been enriched in order to optimize their natural beneficial effects. Moreover, these fruits are additive free and have been cultivated in full respect of healthy parameters. There is no risk of unexpected surprises but just a measured increase in terms of nutrition. Promoting health through a balanced and correct diet, in respect for different food tradition of European Countries, is the mission of FLORA.

Research Centres from different European Countries participate to the Project.

FLORA Project partners:

• John Innes Centre, Norwich, United Kingdom

• Università degli Studi di Milano, Italy

• Institute of Plant Genetics and Crop Plant Research, Gatersleben, Germany

• Research Laboratories, Catholic University, Campobasso, Italy

• Plant Research International, Wageningen, The Netherlands

• TIMC-IMAG, PRETA Coeur & Nutrition, CNRS UMR 5525- UJF- INP, Faculté de Médicine, Université de Grenoble

• Istanbul Technical University, Turkey

• Congenia SRL, Italy

• Istituto Sperimentale per l’Agrumicoltura, Italy

• Ortogel, Italy

• Biopolo SRL, Italy