URV study finds red-fleshed apples may benefit cardiovascular health

Red-fleshed apples are apples that have skin and flesh that are the same color. They belong to the Red Sun variety, which is the result of commercial cultivation of the red flesh Redlove, which originates in Switzerland and in Catalonia its cultivation mainly takes place in Molleruss.

This red fruit is high in anthocyanins, pigments from the flavonoid family that have health benefits. An investigation led byor researchers from the University of Rovira i Virgili (URV) and the University of Lleidawith the participation of other institutions, found benefits of eating these apples: they improve endothelial function, reduce inflammation and modulate the immune system in people with high cholesterol. The results were recently published in a scientific journal. Food and functions.

The study, conducted as part of the AppleCOR project, involved 121 people who were divided into three groups: one that ate red-fleshed apples; one that ate white-fleshed apples (which contain no anthocyanins); and one that ate an Aronia melanocarpa infusion, which has anthocyanin content equivalent to that of red-fleshed apples.

The inclusion of this third group allowed us to test whether the effects of anthocyanins on the cardiovascular system of people varied depending on whether the anthocyanins were found in apples or infusion.

After six weeks, results showed that red-fleshed apples improved ischemic reactive hyperemia, a parameter used to assess endothelial function and vascular health and shows how blood vessels dilate in response to restored blood flow.

The group of people who ate red-fleshed apples also saw a reduction in levels of C-reactive protein and interleukin-6, parameters associated with inflammation.

In addition, there was an improvement in lipid profiles and a decrease in complement proteins and immunoglobulins. All of these indicators are associated with improved cardiovascular health and a decrease in chronic inflammation, which may reduce the risk of developing cardiovascular disease, inflammatory disorders, and other immune-related conditions.

Anthocyanin-rich chokeberry infusion also reduced inflammation and improved lipid profiles. However, the red-fleshed apple resulted in a greater reduction in inflammation, possibly due to the synergism of anthocyanins with other bioactive compounds present in the apple. Supplementation of the chokeberry infusion improved lipid profile modulation, which is thought to be due to greater bioavailability of the anthocyanins.

The study, conducted at the Eurecat base in Reus, also found that white-fleshed apple and chokeberry infusion helped improve the immune system’s response. They did this by modulating the expression of complement proteins and immunoglobulins, which are key components of the body’s defense against infection.

“The results of this study are important because they support the data on the beneficial effects of anthocyanins provided by apple consumption on metabolic disorders and cardiovascular health,” explains the research team. The findings also increase interest in new natural biofortified red-fleshed apple varieties as an interesting and attractive source of bioactive flavonoids with beneficial health effects.

Researchers from the University of Lleida, the Institute of Viticulture and Oenology (CSIC, University of La Rioja), the Department of Nutrition and Health of Euricata and the Centre for Omic Sciences (COS) of Euricata, from the Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology of the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences of the URV, the Pere Virgili Health Research Institute (IISPV), the CIBER of Physiopathology of Obesity and Nutrition (CIBEROBN) and the Biomedical Research Unit of the University Hospital of Sant Joan de Reus.