title: Effects of a safflower tea supplement on antioxidative status and bone markers in postmenopausal women.
abstract: We conducted this study to examine the effects of safflower seed granular tea containing physiologically active polyphenols on antioxidative activities and bone metabolism. Forty postmenopausal women ages 49 to 64-years were recruited from Daegu and Gyeongbuk and were randomly assigned to either a safflower tea supplement (Saf-tea) group (n = 27) or a placebo group (n = 13). The Saf-tea group received 20 g of safflower seed granule tea per day containing a 13% ethanol extract of defatted safflower seeds, whereas the placebo group received a similar type of tea that lacked the ethanol extract. No significant changes in nutrient intake for either the placebo or Saf-tea groups were observed before or after the study period, except vitamin A intake increased after 6 months in the Saf-tea group. Dietary phytoestrogen intakes were similar in the Saf-tea group (60.3 mg) and placebo group (52.5 mg). Significant increases in plasma genistein and enterolactone were observed in the Saf-tea group. After 6 months of supplementation, serum levels of antioxidant vitamins such as α-tocopherol and ascorbic acid increased significantly, and TBARS levels decreased in the Saf-tea group compared to the placebo group. Serum osteocalcin levels were reduced (P < 0.05) in the Saf-tea group after 6 months, whereas serum osteocalcin did not change in the placebo group. Urinary deoxypyridinoline/creatinine excretion was not different between the two groups at baseline, and did not change in either group after 6 months. Bone mineral density decreased significantly in the placebo group (P < 0.01) but not in the supplemented group. It was concluded that polyphenols (72 mg/day), including serotonin derivatives, in the Saf-tea had both antioxidant and potential bone protecting effects in postmenopausal women without liver toxicity.
authors.affiliation: Department of Food Science and Nutrition, Catholic University of Daegu, Geumnak-ro 5, Hayang-eup, Gyeongsan-si, Gyeongbuk 712-702, Korea.
authors.forename: Sung-Hee
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Cho
authors.forename: Jeong-Hee
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Jang
authors.forename: Ji Young
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Yoon
authors.forename: Chi-Dong
authors.initials: CD
authors.lastname: Han
authors.forename: Youngsun
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.forename: Sang-Won
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Choi