consumption of more fruit diminishes the cardiovascular risks associated with obesity A research project undertaken at the University of Navarra reveals that the antioxidant substances present in fruit reduce cardiovascular risks related with obesity. The study focused on evaluating the capacity of two low-calorie diets enriched with different quantities of fruit, in order to improve the antioxidant indicators in the body.
The project was undertaken by scientists from the Special Research Line in Nutrition, Obesity and Health, of the Department of Physiology and Nutrition. The study involved 8 weeks of monitoring obese women between 26 and 38 years of age, who were assigned one of two low-calorie diets. One of the groups obtained 5% of their total energy from fruit, while the other group received 15% from fruit.
Reduce the effect of diabetes, atherosclerosis and cholesterol
There was no significant difference in weight loss, which was on average 7 kilograms in each group. Nevertheless, among those women who consumed more fruit, there was a significant reduction in the blood markers for free radicals, which can contribute to the development of cardiovascular diseases.
With these results, the study indicates that the antioxidant substances present in fruit, such as vitamins C and E, help to combat cellular damage, and that their high fiber content helps to reduce cholesterol. For these reasons, the researchers of the University of Navarra Alfredo Martínez, Dolores Parra and Ana Belén Crujeiras, the authors of the published article, consider that the benefits of fruit in the diet indicate that its use will be a useful strategy in the design of low-calorie diets. In addition to lowering weight, [these diets] reduce the risks associated with obesity, including diabetes, atherosclerosis and cardiovascular illnesses.
The article was published in the scientific journal Nutrition, and complements a previous article which appeared in the journal
Plant Foods for Human Nutrition.
Internet reference www.unav.es Diet and Obesity
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