Fruit phenols may have metabolic syndrome benefits

By Nathan Gray

- Last updated on GMT

Related tags Atherosclerosis

Stone fruit, like peaches, contain a wealth of phenolic compounds that may fight metabolic syndrome
Stone fruit, like peaches, contain a wealth of phenolic compounds that may fight metabolic syndrome
Phenolic compounds found in stone fruits could act as a synergistic ‘weapon’ against metabolic syndrome, according to new research.

The findings – due to be presented at the American Chemical Society next month – suggest that phenolic compounds in stone fruits could act against conditions where obesity and inflammation lead to serious health issues such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

Research leader, Dr. Luis Cisneros-Zevallos, of Texas AgriLife Research Center, USA, said that whilst lifestyle, genetic predisposition and diet all play a major role in the risk of becoming obese, “the major concern about obesity is the associated disease known as metabolic syndrome.”

“Our studies have shown that stone fruits – peaches, plums and nectarines – have bioactive compounds that can potentially fight the syndrome,"​ said Cisneros-Zevallos.

"Our work indicates that phenolic compounds present in these fruits have anti-obesity, anti-inflammatory and anti-diabetic properties in different cell lines and may also reduce the oxidation of bad cholesterol LDL which is associated to cardiovascular disease."

Unique synergy

The research leader said the unique mixture of bioactive compounds found in such stone fruits work simultaneously and synergistically to reduce the effects of different components of the disease.

"Our work shows that the four major phenolic groups – anthocyanins, clorogenic acids, quercetin derivatives and catechins – work on different cells – fat cells, macrophages and vascular endothelial cells,"​ he explained. "They modulate different expressions of genes and proteins depending on the type of compound.

"However, at the same time, all of them are working simultaneously in different fronts against the components of the disease, including obesity, inflammation, diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

Cisneros-Zevallos said the findings are believed to be the first time that "bioactive compounds of a fruit have been shown to potentially work in different fronts against a disease."

"Each of these stone fruits contain similar phenolic groups but in differing proportions so all of them are a good source of health promoting compounds and may complement each other," ​he said, adding that his team plans to continue studying the role of each type of compound on the molecular mechanisms and confirm the work with mice studies.

Related news

Show more

Related products

show more

Prebiocran™, the new gut health solution

Prebiocran™, the new gut health solution

Content provided by Diana Food | 24-May-2023 | Research Study

Symrise is launching Prebiocran™, a 100% cranberry extract in powder designed to fit most of dietary supplement applications thanks to a low dosage: only...

Activate the

Activate the "master metabolic regulator!”

Content provided by Gencor Pacific Limited | 18-May-2023 | Product Brochure

ActivAMP® is extracted from an adaptogenic herb, that contains a family of compounds that upregulate alarmins - including sestrins – which activate an...

Metabolic Health Starts in the Gut Microbiome

Metabolic Health Starts in the Gut Microbiome

Content provided by ADM | 10-May-2023 | White Paper

Emerging clinical evidence suggests that BPL1™ Probiotic and BPL1™ Postbiotic may effectively support aspects of metabolic health.

Related suppliers

1 comment

I'd like the reference to the work

Posted by Dario Stefanelli,

Very interesting article. Being a researcher myself I would like the reference to the work to be able to read more in depth info.

Report abuse

Follow us

Products

View more

Webinars