TY  - JOUR
A1  - Godos, Justyna
A1  - Romano, Giovanni Luca
A1  - Laudani, Samuele
A1  - Gozzo, Lucia
A1  - Guerrera, Ida
A1  - Dominguez Azpíroz, Irma
A1  - Martínez Díaz, Raquel
A1  - Quiles, José L.
A1  - Battino, Maurizio
A1  - Drago, Filippo
A1  - Giampieri, Francesca
A1  - Galvano, Fabio
A1  - Grosso, Giuseppe
N2  - Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are one of the main causes of mortality and morbidity worldwide. A healthy diet rich in plant-derived compounds such as (poly)phenols appears to have a key role in improving cardiovascular health. Flavan-3-ols represent a subclass of (poly)phenols of great interest for their possible health benefits. In this review, we summarized the results of clinical studies on vascular outcomes of flavan-3-ol supplementation and we focused on the role of the microbiota in CVD. Clinical trials included in this review showed that supplementation with flavan-3-ols mostly derived from cocoa products significantly reduces blood pressure and improves endothelial function. Studies on catechins from green tea demonstrated better results when involving healthy individuals. From a mechanistic point of view, emerging evidence suggests that microbial metabolites may play a role in the observed effects. Their function extends beyond the previous belief of ROS scavenging activity and encompasses a direct impact on gene expression and protein function. Although flavan-3-ols appear to have effects on cardiovascular health, further studies are needed to clarify and confirm these potential benefits and the rising evidence of the potential involvement of the microbiota.
Y1  - 2024/07//
AV  - public
UR  - http://doi.org/10.3390/nu16152471
ID  - unic14366
TI  - Flavan-3-ols and Vascular Health: Clinical Evidence and Mechanisms of Action
KW  - flavan-3-ols; polyphenols; inflammation; vascular; gut microbiota
SN  - 2072-6643
JF  - Nutrients
VL  - 16
IS  - 15
ER  -