Consumption of polyphenols in adolescents is associated with better cardiovascular health, according to a collaborative study involving the University of Barcelona, ​​Hospital Clínic-IDIBAPS, Pathophysiology of Obesity and Food Network Center for Biomedical Research (CIBEROBN), Spanish Cardiovascular Research Network ( CIBERCV) and the SHE Foundation.

The study was published in Scientific reports. As part of the study, scientists analyzed the amount of polyphenols in the urine of 1,326 teenagers who participated in SI! Program (Integral Health) 24 secondary schools in Madrid and Barcelona.

Protective effect of polyphenols in the young population

There are polyphenols biologically active compounds with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties found in several plant-based foods, mainly fruits, vegetables, nuts and olive oil. To date, several studies have been conducted on the use of polyphenols by children and adolescents.

Because this stage of life is critical, and developments at this stage can put you at risk cardiovascular health in adulthood, the results of the study are important for encouraging similar studies in other European countries and around the world, as well as for conducting clinical trials to confirm the effect and dose-response relationship of polyphenols on childhood cardiovascular health.

“From the results of this study, we observed that higher urinary excretion of polyphenols is linearly associated with a higher cardiovascular health index in adolescents aged 11-14 years, especially in children. This cardiovascular health index is defined by criteria established by American Heart Association (AHA), which takes into account seven variables: body mass index, physical activitysmoking, diet, blood pressuretotal cholesterol and blood glucose“, says Professor Rosa M. Lamuela, Director of the Institute for Research in Nutrition and Food Safety (INSA-UB), Head of the Natural Antioxidants Research Group of the University of Barcelona and Chief Scientist of CIBEROBN.

“Although this is a cross-sectional study and we cannot see a causal relationship, the literature and previous studies by our research group suggest that polyphenols have a protective effect on the incidence of cardiovascular disease in adults,” concludes . the professor.

YES! The program was developed by the SHE Foundation, an organization supported by the La Caixa Foundation and managed by cardiologist Valentin Fuster. This initiative targets children aged 3-16 and aims to show that acquiring healthy habits from childhood reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease and improves quality of life in adulthood.