Impact of fruit beverage consumption on the antioxidant status in healthy women.
BACKGROUND
Epidemiologic studies suggest that antioxidant-rich foods might reduce the risk of cancer and cardiovascular diseases.


OBJECTIVE
To test the health-protective potential of three fruit beverages, Fb (grape-orange-apricot), FbM (Fb with skimmed milk) and FbMFe [FbM + Fe(II)], in healthy women.


METHODS
The influence of fruit beverage consumption (500 ml/day) upon serum antioxidant capacity determined by ORAC and TEAC methods and erythrocyte superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity was assessed in 32 healthy female volunteers. In the intervention study, each subject received the fruit beverages during three periods (3 weeks for Fb and FbM, and 12 weeks in the case of FbMFe), with a 2-week washout period between treatments.


RESULTS
Intake of fruit beverages does not improve total antioxidant capacity. However, the induction of SOD found after fruit beverage consumption may be more effective than the effects of antioxidants present in these beverages, which can only stoichiometrically scavenge reactive species derived from oxidative stress.


CONCLUSIONS
Iron added to FbM (FbMFe) showed induction of SOD activity, with no prooxidant effect, and could constitute a complementary source of iron, because the regular consumption of FbMFe may be beneficial for women of fertile age.
Cilla
Antonio
A
Nutrition and Food Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Valencia, Burjassot, Spain.
De Palma
Giada
G
Lagarda
María J
MJ
Barberá
Reyes
R
Farré
Rosaura
R
Clemente
Gonzalo
G
Romero
Fernando
F
D000328:Adult; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000378:metabolism*; D001628:Beverages; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D005260:Female; D005638:Fruit / Q000737:chemistry*; D006801:Humans; D009752:Nutritional Status; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism; D055815:Young Adult
D000975:Antioxidants; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species