Catechin in the Mediterranean diet: vegetable, fruit or wine?
The aim of this study was to determine which type of diet contributes most to plasma concentration of (+)-catechin, a naturally occurring antioxidant flavonoid. Consecutive subjects (n=180) were screened. A blood sample was collected after a fasting period and (+)-catechin measurement in plasma was performed by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method using fluorescence detection. Dietary consumption of the last evening meal was assessed by a dietary recall method. Taking fruit, vegetable and wine consumption into account, four types of diet were identified. After adjustment for confounding factors, concentration of (+)-catechin in plasma was three-fold higher in diet with fruit and vegetable but without wine (449.5 microg/l), and four-fold higher in diet with wine but without vegetable and fruit (598.5 microg/l) in comparison to diet without fruit, vegetable and wine (131.6 microg/l). When the consumption of vegetable, fruit and wine was combined, the concentration was the highest (637.1 microg/l) (P<0. 001). Vegetable, fruit and wine were the major determinants of plasma (+)-catechin concentration (P<0.001). This study demonstrates that the highest plasma concentration of (+)-catechin was observed in subjects consuming fruit, vegetable and wine, and its antioxidant and antiaggregant activity could partly explain the relative protection against coronary heart disease (CHD).
Ruidavets
J
J
INSERM U 518, Département d'épidémiologie, Faculté de médecine, 37 Allées Jules Guesde, 31073 Cedex, Toulouse, France. ruidavet@cict.fr
Teissedre
P
P
Ferrières
J
J
Carando
S
S
Bougard
G
G
Cabanis
J
J
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002392:Catechin / Q000097:blood*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004032:Diet; D005260:Female; D005638:Fruit; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D019083:Mediterranean Region; D008875:Middle Aged; D009994:Osmolar Concentration; D014675:Vegetables; D014920:Wine
D002392:Catechin