Dr. Iñaki Elio, a researcher at the Universidad Internacional Iberoamericana (UNIB), is participating in a study studying the effects of carotenoids on heart health and the prevention of cardiovascular diseases.
Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) comprise various conditions affecting the heart and blood vessels, and are divided into four main categories: coronary artery disease, cerebrovascular disease, peripheral arterial disease, and aortic atherosclerosis. Despite medical advances, CVD remains one of the leading causes of premature death worldwide, with a notable increase in prevalence of 21.1% between 2007 and 2017.
Risk factors for CVD are classified into modifiable and non-modifiable. Non-modifiable include age, male gender, ethnicity, family history, and genetics. Modifiable are divided into lifestyle factors, such as unhealthy diet, smoking, sedentary lifestyle, alcohol consumption, stress, and low socioeconomic status, and metabolic factors, such as abnormal blood lipid levels, hypertension, obesity, and diabetes. It is estimated that approximately half of all CVD is attributable to modifiable risk factors.
The relationship between diet and cardiovascular health is a key area in preventive medicine. Increased consumption of fruits and vegetables can lower CVD risk, reduce blood pressure, and improve insulin resistance. It is recommended to consume at least 400 grams per day of a variety of fruits and vegetables to prevent chronic diseases. Carotenoids, bioactive compounds present in foods such as carrots, pumpkins, spinach, tomatoes, watermelons, salmon and crustaceans, play an important role in cardiovascular protection.
Carotenoids, which include carotenes and xanthophylls, are organic pigments found in plants and some organisms. Some, such as β-carotene, act as precursors of vitamin A, which is essential for vision, development, and immunity. These compounds possess antioxidant properties that help neutralize free radicals and delay atherogenesis. They also improve endothelial function, reduce inflammation and improve lipid profile. For example, lycopene has anti-inflammatory properties and improves lipid levels, while lutein and zeaxanthin regulate the response to oxidative stress and reduce arterial stiffness.
Therefore, a study was conducted exploring how carotenoids influence cardiovascular risk factors and promote heart health, integrating data from epidemiological and clinical studies.
The results demonstrated that elevated levels of carotenoids in the blood are associated with a long-term reduction in the risk of cardiovascular disease. These compounds influence cardiovascular risk factors and inflammatory markers. Furthermore, it is highlighted that increasing the consumption of carotenoid-rich foods is more effective than the use of supplements in reducing these inflammatory markers and thus the risk of cardiovascular disease. This is because foods provide a natural combination of carotenoids that appears to be more beneficial than the intake of a single type of carotenoid in supplement form.
Also, the study points out that there is insufficient evidence to determine whether one carotenoid is superior to another in reducing cardiovascular risk. In fact, it appears that a combination of several of these may offer greater heart health benefits. This finding highlights the importance of a varied and balanced diet, rich in fruits and vegetables of different colors, to obtain a full range of carotenoids that would not only benefit heart health, but also overall well-being.
However, it is important to recognize that further research is needed to determine whether the observed benefits are due exclusively to carotenoids or whether they interact with other components of fruits and vegetables to produce positive effects on cardiovascular health. In addition, it would be valuable to further explore the role of carotenoid supplements in CVD prevention to better understand their efficacy and potential in public health strategies.
If you want to learn more about this study, click here.
To read more research, consult the UNIB repository.
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