Comparison of vitamin C and flavanones between freshly squeezed orange juices and commercial 100% orange juices from four European countries.

Knowing the true levels of nutrients and dietary bioactives in fruit juices at the point of consumption is key to properly understand their potential health benefits. The objective was to characterise the vitamin C and flavanone content in commercial orange juices consumed in Europe, compared with fresh-squeezed juices. Commercial juices were a rich source of vitamin C (>30% of the Nutrient Reference Value). Vitamin C in fresh-squeezed juices, at the end of their shelf-life, remained 33% higher than the levels found in the commercial juices. Flavanones had similar values from both commercial and fresh juices, except for fresh samples stored for 48 h, where fresh juices had higher values (22.36 mg/100 mL). Thus, orange juices preserve their bioactive compounds during storage, with very little influence of the brand, country, industrial process or storage conditions. Main bioactive compounds in commercial juices are present at nutritionally significant levels to the freshly-squeezed ones.

Bioaccessible Organosulfur Compounds in Broccoli Stalks Modulate the Inflammatory Mediators Involved in Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

Inflammatory diseases are strongly associated with global morbidity and mortality. Several mediators are involved in this process, including proinflammatory interleukins and cytokines produced by damaged tissues that, somehow, act as initiators of the autoreactive immune response. Bioactive compounds present in plant-based foods and byproducts have been largely considered active agents with the potential to treat or prevent inflammatory diseases, being a valuable alternative to traditional therapeutic agents used nowadays, which present several side effects. In this regard, the present research uncovers the anti-inflammatory activity of the bioaccessible fraction of broccoli stalks processed, by applying different conditions that render specific concentrations of bioactive sulforaphane (SFN). The raw materials' extracts exhibited significantly different contents of total glucosinolates (GSLs) that ranged between 3993.29 and 12,296.48 mg/kg dry weight (dw), with glucoraphanin as the most abundant one, followed by GI and GE. The indolic GSLs were represented by hydroxy-glucobrassicin, glucobrassicin, methoxy-glucobrassicin, and neo-glucobrassicin, with the two latter as the most abundant. Additionally, SFN and indole-3-carbinol were found in lower concentrations than the corresponding GSL precursors in the raw materials. When exploring the bioaccessibility of these organosulfur compounds, the GSL of all matrices remained at levels lower than the limit of detection, while SFN was the only breakdown product that remained stable and at quantifiable concentrations. The highest concentration of bioaccessible SFN was provided by the high-ITC materials (~4.00 mg/kg dw). The results retrieved on the cytotoxicity of the referred extracts evidenced that the range of supplementation of growth media tested (0.002-430.400 µg of organosulfur compounds/mL) did not display cytotoxic effects on Caco-2 cells. The obtained extracts were assessed based on their capacity to reduce the production of key proinflammatory cytokines (interleukin 6 (IL-6), IL-8, and TNF-α) by the intestinal epithelium. Most of the tested processing conditions provided plant material with significant anti-inflammatory activity and the absence of cytotoxic effects. These data confirm that SFN from broccoli stalks, processed to optimize the bioaccessible concentration of SFN, may be potential therapeutic leads to treat or prevent human intestinal inflammation.

Therapeutic potential of plant-derived extracellular vesicles as nanocarriers for exogenous miRNAs.

Cell-to-cell communication strategies include extracellular vesicles (EVs) in plants and animals. The bioactive molecules in a diet rich in vegetables and fruits are associated with disease-preventive effects. Plant-derived EVs (PDEVs) are biogenetically and morphologically comparable to mammalian EVs and transport bioactive molecules, including miRNAs. However, the biological functions of PDEVs are not fully understood, and standard isolation protocols are lacking. Here, PDEVs were isolated from four foods with a combination of ultracentrifugation and size exclusion chromatography, and evaluated as vehicles for enhanced transport of synthetic miRNAs. In addition, the role of food-derived EVs as carriers of dietary (poly)phenols and other secondary metabolites was investigated. EVs from broccoli, pomegranate, apple, and orange were efficiently isolated and characterized. In all four sources, 4 miRNA families were present in tissues and EVs. miRNAs present in broccoli and fruit-derived EVs showed a reduced RNase degradation and were ferried inside exposed cells. EVs transfected with a combination of ath-miR159a, ath-miR162a-3p, ath-miR166b-3p, and ath-miR396b-5p showed toxic effects on human cells, as did natural broccoli EVs alone. PDEVs transport trace amounts of phytochemicals, including flavonoids, anthocyanidins, phenolic acids, or glucosinolates. Thus, PDEVs can act as nanocarriers for functional miRNAs that could be used in RNA-based therapy.

Bioactive Compounds in Plasma as a Function of Sex and Sweetener Resulting from a Maqui-Lemon Beverage Consumption Using Statistical and Machine Learning Techniques.

The present study analyses the effect of a beverage composed of citrus and maqui (Aristotelia chilensis) with different sweeteners on male and female consumers. Beverages were designed and tested (140 volunteers) as a source of polyphenols, in a previous work. Plasma samples were taken before and after two months of daily intake. Samples were measured for bioactive-compound levels with metabolomics techniques, and the resulting data were analysed with advanced versions of ANOVA and clustering analysis, to describe the effects of sex and sweetener factors on bioactive compounds. To improve the results, machine learning techniques were applied to perform feature selection and data imputation. The results reflect a series of compounds which are more regulated for men, such as caffeic acid or 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid, and for women, trans ferulic acid (TFA) or naringenin glucuronide. Regulations are also observed with sweeteners, such as TFA with stevia in women, or vanillic acid with sucrose in men. These results show that there is a differential regulation of these two families of polyphenols by sex, and that this is influenced by sweeteners.

The (Poly)phenolic Profile of Separate Winery By-Products Reveals Potential Antioxidant Synergies.

The by-products of grapes (Vitis vinifera L.) in the winemaking process present a diverse phytochemical profile of (poly)phenols, essentially represented by phenolic acids, flavonoids, and stilbenes, which have health benefits. In winemaking, solid (grape stems and pomace) and semisolid (wine lees) by-products are generated, negatively impacting the sustainability of the agro-food activity and the local environment. Although information on the phytochemical profile of grape stems and pomace has been reported, especially information concerning (poly)phenols, research on wine lees is necessary to take advantage of the compositional traits of this residue. So, in the present work, an updated, in-depth comparison of the (poly)phenolic profiles of these three resulting matrices in the agro-food industry has been carried out to provide new knowledge and interesting data on the action of yeast and lactic acid bacteria (LAB) metabolism in the diversification of phenolic composition; additionally, we extract complementarities for the possible joint application of the three residues. The phytochemical analysis of the extracts was carried out using HPLC-PDA-ESI-MSn. The (poly)phenolic profiles of the residues showed significant discrepancies. The results obtained showed that the greatest diversity of (poly)phenols was found in the stems of the grapes, followed closely by the lees. Through technological insights, it has been suggested that yeasts and LAB, responsible for the fermentation of must, might play a key role in the transformation of phenolic compounds. This would provide new molecules with specific bioavailability and bioactivity features, which might interact with different molecular targets and, consequently, improve the biological potential of these underexploited residues.

Antinociceptive and antiedema effects produced in rats by Brassica oleracea var. italica sprouts involving sulforaphane.

Natural products are recognized as potential analgesics since many of them are part of modern medicine to relieve pain without serious adverse effects. The aim of this study was to investigate the antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory activities of an aqueous extract of Brassica oleracea var. italica sprouts (AEBS) and one of its main reported bioactive metabolites sulforaphane (SFN). Antinociceptive activity of the AEBS (30, 100, and 300 mg/kg, i.p. or 1000 and 2000 mg/kg, p.o.) and SFN (0.1 mg/kg, i.p.) was evaluated in the plantar test in rats to reinforce its analgesic-like activity at central level using the reference drug tramadol (TR, 50 mg/kg, i.p.). The anti-inflammatory-like response was determined in the carrageenan-induced oedema at the same dosages for comparison with ketorolac (KET, 20 mg/kg, i.p.) or indomethacin (INDO, 20 mg/kg, p.o.). A histological analysis of the swollen paw was included to complement the anti-inflammatory response. Additionally, acute toxicity observed in clinical analgesics as the most common adverse effects, such as sedation and/or gastric damage, was also explored. As a result, central and peripheral action of the AEBS was confirmed using enteral and parenteral administration, in which significant reduction of the nociceptive and inflammatory responses resembled the effects of TR, KET, or INDO, respectively, involving the presence of SFN. No adverse or toxic effects were observed in the presence of the AEBS or SFN. In conclusion, this study supports that Brassica oleracea var. italica sprouts are a potential source of antinociceptive natural products such as SFN for therapy of pain alone and associated to an inflammation condition.

Contribution of the diverse experimental models to unravelling the biological scope of dietary (poly)phenols.

The health benefits associated with (poly)phenols need to be supported by robust and insightful information on their biological effects. The use of in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo models is crucial to demonstrate functionalities in specific targets. In this regard, bioaccessibility, bioavailability, and tissue/organ distribution need to be fully understood and established. In addition, the structure-function relationships, concerning both descriptive and mechanistic information, between specific compounds and therapeutic objectives, need to be supported by results obtained from in vivo studies. Nevertheless, these studies are not always possible or have some limitations, particularly concerning the mechanistic information explaining the health benefits provided that should be covered with complementary experimental models. Based on these premises, this review aims to overview the contribution of the separate experimental approaches to gain insights into the bioaccessibility, bioavailability, and bioactivity of (poly)phenols. To achieve this objective, recent evidence available on the linkage of healthy/functional foods with the incidence of non-communicable pathologies is presented. The different experimental approaches provide complementary information that allows advances to be applied to the knowledge gained on the functional properties and mechanistic facts responsible for the health attributions of polyphenols. © 2022 The Authors. Journal of The Science of Food and Agriculture published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.

Cocoa extract with high content of flavan 3-ols, procyanidins and methylxanthines.

The health benefits of cocoa depend on the flavan 3-ols, procyanidins, and methylxanthines, which decrease from the early stages of cocoa bean processing. The objective of this research was to obtain a cocoa extract high in these compounds with (-)-epicatechin as the primary reference. An evaluation of two pretreatments of cocoa beans with a control after harvesting was made: A (untreated/control), B (Frozen), and C (Polyphenol oxidase inhibition), all followed by dehydration at 45 °C until obtaining a cocoa powder. In terms of (-)-epicatechin content, the best pretreatment was put on to a hydroalcoholic extraction. Flavan 3-ols, procyanidins, methylxanthines, and total polyphenols content (TPC), were quantified in the cocoa powders and the hydroalcoholic extract. The results showed that the control (A), significantly conserves the (-)-epicatechin (24.964 ± 0.400 mg/g) ca. 7 times more than conventionally sun-dried and fermented beans (3.742 ± 1.977 mg/g) ca. The hydroalcoholic extraction increased the (-)-epicatechin ca. 3 times more based on pretreatment A (84.738 mg/g).

Maqui berry (Aristotelia chilensis) extract improves memory and decreases oxidative stress in male rat brain exposed to ozone.

Introduction: Prolonged ozone exposure can produce a state of oxidative stress, which in turn causes alterations in the dynamics of the brain and affects memory and learning. Moreover, different investigations have shown that high flavonoid content berries show a great antioxidant activity. The relationship between the protective effect of the maqui berry extract and its antioxidant properties in the brain has not been studied in depth. Objectives: The present study evaluated whether the protection exerted by the aqueous extract of maqui berry in brain regions associated with cognitive performance is due to its antioxidant capacity. Methods: Sprague Dawley rats were exposed to 0.25 ppm ozone and administered with maqui berry extracts. At the end of the treatments, spatial learning and short- and long-term memory were evaluated, as well as oxidative stress markers. Results: The administration of 50 and 100 mg/kg of the aqueous extract of maqui berry was effective in preventing the cognitive deficit caused by chronic exposure to ozone. The antioxidant effect of the administration of maqui berry was analyzed in the prefrontal cortex, hippocampus, and amygdala. Oxidative stress markers levels decreased and the enzymatic activity of superoxide dismutase diminished in animals exposed to ozone treated with the 50 mg/kg dose of maqui berry. Discussion: These results show a relationship between protection at the cognitive level and a decrease in oxidative stress markers, which suggests that the prevention of cognitive damage is due to the antioxidant activity of the maqui berry.

Sweetener influences plasma concentration of flavonoids in humans after an acute intake of a new (poly)phenol-rich beverage.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: The overconsumption of sucrose is closely related to sugar-sweetened beverages and one of the main factors associated with the increase of metabolic diseases, such as type 2 diabetes, obesity, and insulin resistance. So, the addition of alternative sweeteners to new fruit-based drinks could contribute to minimizing the incidence or severity of these pathologies. Nevertheless, current knowledge on the influence of these additives on the bioactive compounds present in these beverages is still scarce.new-onset hypertension, but few data were published in Asian. We aimed to investigate the association of lipid profiles with new-onset hypertension in a Chinese community-based non-hypertensive cohort without lipid-lowering treatment (n = 1802). METHODS AND RESULTS: Hence, to contribute to the understanding of this issue, the plasma concentration of phenolic compounds (anthocyanins and flavanones), after the ingestion of a new maqui-citrus-based beverage, supplemented with sucrose (natural high caloric), stevia (natural non-caloric), or sucralose (artificial non-caloric), was evaluated as evidence of their intestinal absorption and metabolism previous to renal excretion. The beverages were ingested by volunteers (n = 20) and the resulting phenolic metabolites in plasma were analyzed by UHPLC-ESI-MS/MS. A total of 13 metabolites were detected: caffeic acid sulfate, caffeic acid glucuronide, 3,4-dihydroxyfenylacetic, 3,4-dihydroxyfenylacetic sulfate. 3,4-dihydroxyfenylacetic acid di-sulfate, 3,4-dihydroxyfenylacetic di-glucuronide, 3,4-dihydroxyfenylacetic glucuronide-sulfate, trans-ferulic acid glucuronide, naringenin glucuronide, vanillic acid, vanillic acid sulfate, vanillic acid glucuronide-sulfate, and vanillic acid di-glucuronide, being recorded their maximum concentration after 30-60 min. CONCLUSION: In general, sucralose provided the greatest absorption value for most of these metabolites, followed by stevia. Due to this, the present study proposes sucralose and stevia (non-caloric sweeteners) as valuable alternatives to sucrose (high caloric sweetener), to avoid the augmented risk of several metabolic disorders.

Effect of the growing area on the fat content and the fatty acid composition of Ecuadorian cocoa beans.

Cocoa presents a high fat content and a unique fatty acid profile defining its technological and nutritional properties. This study evaluated the fat content and fatty acid composition of Nacional cocoas, a worldwide recognised "fine" variety, collected in 85 Ecuadorian farms while taking into account 3 geographical levels (region, province, and canton). The total fat content varied from 45.61 ± 1.27 to 52.13 ± 0.58 g/100 g DW and was higher in the provinces and cantons from the Amazonian region than in those from the Pacific Coast region. A remarkable effect of the region and the province was shown on the content of individual fatty acids of Nacional cocoa beans. Total amounts of saturated and unsaturated fatty acids also depended on the growing area. Multivariate analysis provided a comprehensive assessment of the cocoa fat composition according to the origin, which may be useful for the selection of cocoas with specific technological and nutritional characteristics.

Antinociceptive effects of maqui-berry (Aristotelia chilensis (Mol.) Stuntz).

Maqui-berry is characterised by presenting a high concentration of (poly)phenols, accounting anthocyanins (cyanidin and delphinidin) for over 85% of the total. These coloured flavonoids have demonstrated potential neurological activity, but the evidence of their antinociceptive properties is scarce. In order to cover this gap, different doses (suitable for human administration) of a maqui-berry powder (1.6% anthocyanin), using enteral and parenteral routes of administration, were compared at central and peripheral levels using a nociceptive pain model (formalin test) in mice. Gastric damage analysis as possible adverse effects of analgesic and anti-inflammatory drugs was also explored. Dose-antinociceptive response was confirmed using both routes of administration and in both neurogenic and inflammatory phases of the formalin test, without gastric damage. In conclusion, these preliminary data provide evidence of pharmacological properties of maqui-berry to alleviate nociceptive pain.

Evidence on the Bioaccessibility of Glucosinolates and Breakdown Products of Cruciferous Sprouts by Simulated In Vitro Gastrointestinal Digestion.

Cruciferous vegetables are gaining importance as nutritious and sustainable foods, rich in phytochemical compounds such as glucosinolates (GSLs). However, the breakdown products of these sulfur-based compounds, mainly represented by isothiocyanates (ITC) and indoles, can contribute to human health. In the human digestive system, the formation of these compounds continues to varying extents in the different stages of digestion, due to the contact of GSLs with different gastric fluids and enzymes under the physicochemical conditions of the gastrointestinal tract. Therefore, the aim of the present work was to uncover the effect of gastrointestinal digestion on the release of glucosinolates and their transformation into their bioactive counterparts by applying a simulated in vitro static model on a range of brassica (red radish, red cabbage, broccoli, and mustard) sprouts. In this sense, significantly higher bioaccessibility of ITC and indoles from GSLs of red cabbage sprouts was observed in comparison with broccoli, red radish, and mustard sprouts, due to the aliphatic GSLs proportion present in the different sprouts. This indicates that the bioaccessibility of GSLs from Brasicaceae sprouts is not exclusively associated with the initial content of these compounds in the plant material (almost negligible), but also with the release of GSLs and the ongoing breakdown reactions during the gastric and intestinal phases of digestion, respectively. Additionally, aliphatic GSLs provided higher bioaccessibility of their corresponding ITC in comparison to indolic and aromatic GSLs.

Anthocyanin Metabolites in Human Urine after the Intake of New Functional Beverages.

Sugar intake abuse is directly related with the increase of metabolic diseases such as type 2 diabetes, obesity, and insulin resistance. Along this line, the development of new beverages using alternative sweeteners could help with combatting the pathophysiological disorders associated to the consumption of sugar. To provide evidence on this issue, in the present work, the bioavailability of anthocyanins was evaluated after the acute ingestion of a new maqui-citrus-based functional beverage rich in polyphenols, and supplemented with a range of sweeteners including sucrose (natural high caloric), stevia (natural non-caloric), and sucralose (artificial non-caloric), as an approach that would allow reducing the intake of sugars while providing bioactive phenolic compounds (anthocyanins). This approach allowed the evaluation of the maximum absorption and the diversity of metabolites excreted through urine. The beverages created were ingested by volunteers (n = 20) and the resulting anthocyanin metabolites in their urine were analyzed by UHPLC-ESI-MS/MS. A total of 29 degradation metabolites were detected: Caffeic acid, catechol, 3,4-dihidroxifenilacetic acid, hippuric acid, trans-ferulic acid, 2,4,6-trihydroxybenzaldehyde, trans-isoferulic acid, and vanillic acid derivatives, where peak concentrations were attained at 3.5 h after beverage intake. Sucralose was the sweetener that provided a higher bioavailability for most compounds, followed by stevia. Sucrose did not provide a remarkably higher bioavailability of any compounds in comparison with sucralose or stevia. The results propose two sweetener alternatives (sucralose and stevia) to sucrose, an overused high calorie sweetener that promotes some metabolic diseases.

New UHPLC-QqQ-MS/MS Method for the Rapid and Sensitive Analysis of Ascorbic and Dehydroascorbic Acids in Plant Foods.

A new method using ultra high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with triple quadrupole mass spectrometry (UHPLC-QqQ-MS/MS) methodology was developed for the determination of ascorbic acid (AA) and dehydroascorbic acid (DHAA) contents in liquid and solid vegetable samples. The advantages of this method are speed, high sensitivity and practical application. In accordance with these advantages, the present method allows the simultaneous determination of AA and DHAA without previous reduction/derivatization of DHAA and without the use of internal standards in the samples. This is of high interest in routine analysis, providing a simpler sample preparation, as well as enhanced accuracy and robustness. Its validation included selectivity, sensitivity and linearity, precision and accuracy, matrix effect, and recovery. The results showed high selectivity and sensitivity, with calibration curves ranging from 10 to 500 ng mL-1 and from 50 to 500 ng mL-1 for AA and DHAA, respectively. Appropriate dilutions for each sample are necessary to avoid the matrix effect with accepted recoveries.

Aqueous Extract of Pomegranate Alone or in Combination with Citalopram Produces Antidepressant-Like Effects in an Animal Model of Menopause: Participation of Estrogen Receptors.

It has been reported that the aqueous extract of pomegranate (AE-PG) has polyphenols with estrogenic-like activities. The present work determines if AE-PG alone or in combination with the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, citalopram, has antidepressant-like effects. It was also analyzed the participation of estrogen receptors (ER). AE-PG (0.1, 1.0, 10, or 100 mg/kg) was evaluated in ovariectomized female Wistar rats subjected to the forced swimming test. The effects induced by AE-PG were compared with those of citalopram (2.5, 5.0, 10, and 20.0 mg/kg) and 17ß-estradiol (E2; 2.5 5.0, and 10 µg/rat). Likewise, the combination of suboptimal doses of AE-PG (0.1 mg/kg) plus citalopram (2.5 mg/kg) was evaluated. To determine if ER participates in the antidepressant-like action of pomegranate, the estrogen antagonist tamoxifen (15 mg/kg) was administered with AE-PG (1 mg/kg). AE-PG produced antidepressant-like actions with a similar behavioral profile induced by citalopram and E2. Suboptimal doses of citalopram plus AE-PG produced antidepressant-like effects. Tamoxifen was able to block AE-PG's antidepressant-like actions. These results confirm the participation of ER in AE-PG's antidepressant-like effects. Furthermore, the additive effects observed with the combined treatment of AE-PG plus citalopram could be advantageous in the treatment of depressive disorders, such as menopause.

Metabolic Activity of Radish Sprouts Derived Isothiocyanates in Drosophila melanogaster.

We used Drosophila melanogaster as a model system to study the absorption, metabolism and potential health benefits of plant bioactives derived from radish sprouts (Raphanus sativus cv. Rambo), a Brassicaceae species rich in glucosinolates and other phytochemicals. Flies were subjected to a diet supplemented with lyophilized radish sprouts (10.6 g/L) for 10 days, containing high amounts of glucoraphenin and glucoraphasatin, which can be hydrolyzed by myrosinase to the isothiocyanates sulforaphene and raphasatin, respectively. We demonstrate that Drosophila melanogaster takes up and metabolizes isothiocyanates from radish sprouts through the detection of the metabolite sulforaphane-cysteine in fly homogenates. Moreover, we report a decrease in the glucose content of flies, an upregulation of spargel expression, the Drosophila homolog of the mammalian PPARγ-coactivator 1 α, as well as the inhibition of α-amylase and α-glucosidase in vitro. Overall, we show that the consumption of radish sprouts affects energy metabolism in Drosophila melanogaster which is reflected by lower glucose levels and an increased expression of spargel, a central player in mitochondrial biogenesis. These processes are often affected in chronic diseases associated with aging, including type II diabetes mellitus.

Antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory activities of a pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) extract rich in ellagitannins.

Pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) has been used for centuries for the treatment of inflammatory diseases. However, there is a lack of comprehensive information focused on the properties of a certain pomegranate (poly)phenolic profile to cure pain and gastric injury induced by anti-inflammatory drugs. This study investigated the systemic effects of different doses of a HPLC-characterized pomegranate extract on the formalin-induced nociceptive behavior in mice. The effect of the extract against gastric injury caused by non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and ethanol was also assessed. Pomegranate reduced nociception in both phases of the formalin test, suggesting central and peripheral activities to inhibit nociception. Indomethacin-induced gastric injury was not produced in the presence of pomegranate, which also protected against ethanol-induced gastric lesions. The present results reinforce the benefits of pomegranate (poly)phenolics in the treatment of pain as well as their anti-inflammatory properties.

Flavan-3-ols, anthocyanins, and inflammation.

The process of inflammation constitutes a reactive response of the organism to tissue damage and is an important factor making part of a number of degenerative pathologies as insulin resistance, dyslipidemia, and hypertension, all of them comprised in the metabolic syndrome. There is an increasing interest in plant products rich in flavan-3-ols and anthocyanins because of their potential beneficial effects observed in epidemiological studies against inflammatory-related diseases. Their anti-inflammatory effects are exerted by modulation of cell redox status and inhibition of signaling pathways as NF-κB activation. The effects depend on their concentrations in target tissues and hence the bioavailability pathways followed by each particular compound. In this sense, in vitro studies performed with parental compounds at doses exceeding to those found in vivo may be drawing erroneous conclusions about their real efficacy. Contradictory results have been observed in human intervention trials, which may be ascribed to the type of population studied, length of study, source of flavan-3-ol/anthocyanin, and dose provided. Human studies are required to confirm the positive effects found in vitro and in animal models. Future research should be focused on the understanding of dose/flavonoid intake-response relationship with pharmacokinetic studies, evaluating proper biomarkers of intake. Long-term dietary interventions are necessary to observe effects on markers of late activation as well as the possible preventive effects of these compounds on long-term inflammation-related diseases.

Discovery of human urinary biomarkers of aronia-citrus juice intake by HPLC-q-TOF-based metabolomic approach.

Metabolomics has emerged in the field of food and nutrition sciences as a powerful tool for doing profiling approaches. In this context, HPLC-q-TOF-based metabolomics approach was applied to unveil changes in the urinary metabolome in human subjects (n = 51, 23 men and 28 women) after regular aronia-citrus juice (AC-juice) intake (250 mL/day) during 16 weeks compared to individuals given a placebo beverage. Samples were analyzed by HPLC-q-TOF followed by multivariate data analysis (orthogonal signal filtering-partial least square discriminant analysis) that discriminated relevant mass features related to AC-juice intake. The results showed that biomarkers of AC-juice intake including metabolites coming from metabolism of food components as proline betaine, ferulic acid, and two unknown mercapturate derivatives were identified. Discovery of new biomarkers of food intake will help in the building up of the food metabolome and facilitate future insights into the mechanisms of action of dietary components in population health.