Nutrition

Biography

Biography: Caterina Brasacchio

Abstract

According to World Health Organization data, the leading causes of death are cardiovascular diseases (CD). Nutritional studies demonstrated a protective role of antioxidants against CD, cancer and obesity. The European study ATHENA aims to study the beneficial effects of antioxidants on human health. We investigated the dietary intake of anthocyanin, vitamin C, vitamin E and beta-carotene in relation to some of cardiovascular risk parameters (BMI, waist circumference, cholesterol LDL and HDL, LDL/HDL ratio, triglycerides) in 493 Caucasian subjects divided in two groups: Group 1 (low antioxidants intake) vs. Group 2 (high antioxidants intake). Statistical analysis was performed using STATA 10 Software. The Group 2 showed lower BMI, waist circumference, cholesterol LDL and LDL/HDL ratio than Group 1. Multiple linear regression, evidenced that in Group 2 a large vitamin C intake was associated to lower LDL (p=0.0015) while a high beta-carotene intake was correlated with higher HDL (p=0.026). If they were assumed together we observed a correlation with a lower LDL/HDL ratio, waist circumference and triglycerides (p=0.005, p=0.033, p=0.037 respectively). Furthermore, the elevate anthocyanin consumption was correlated with lower triglycerides and waist circumference (p=0.01), but when anthocyanin was taken in association with vitamin C and beta-carotene there was a correlation with lower BMI also (p=0.024). In conclusion, a diet with high intake of antioxidants is linked to a reduced CD risk parameters, with major influence of vitamin C and beta-carotene.