Protective Effect Of Polyphenols On Adolescents Cardio Health
A new study has revealed the protective effective of polyphenols on the cardiovascular health of adolescents.
According to the research, published in the journal Scientific Reports, the consumption of polyphenols (found in high quality olive oils) in adolescents is associated with a better cardiovascular health.
As part of the study, the researchers analyzed the amount of polyphenols in the urine of 1,326 adolescents that took part in the SI! Program (Integral Health) of 24 secondary education schools in Madrid and Barcelona.
The collaborative research study includes the participation of the University of Barcelona, the Hospital Clínic-IDIBAPS, the Physiopathology of Obesity and Nutrition Networking Biomedical Research Centre (CIBEROBN), the Spanish Cardiovascular Research Network (CIBERCV) and the SHE Foundation.
Extra Virgin Olive Oil And Polyphenols
Polyphenols are bioactive compounds with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties found in several plant-based foods, mainly in fruit, vegetables, nuts and olive oil.
Polyphenol Sources Including The Best Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Polyphenol rich olive oil is receiving the attention of scientific and health community lately because of their benefits for human body. Polyphenols are chemical compounds that are present in many natural foods. Polyphenol is also used as dietary supplements and can be taken as prescribed medicine.
Polyphenols are phytochemicals that occur in plants and render the colour to plants. Sources of polyphenols include peaches, pomegranate, grapes, oranges, cocoa powder and dark chocolate. However one of the most important sources of polyphenols is extra virgin olive oil. It is important that this is genuine, unprocessed extra virgin olive oil like Morocco Gold that will still have its polyphenols intact. Processed or refined olive oils usually have their polyphenols extracted from the oil during filtration and refining.
Research has shown that polyphenols in extra virgin olive oil have a massive and positive impact on health and doctors recommend high consumption of polyphenol sources. Health benefits of high polyphenol extra virgin olive oil include:
While many studies have been carried out on the health benefits of polyphenols in adults, there is less evidence on their effect in children and adolescents. According to a report in News Medical Life Sciences,
Since this life stage is critical and it compromises cardiovascular health in adulthood, the findings shown in the study are important to encourage similar studies in other European countries and worldwide, as well as to conduct clinical trials to confirm the effect and the dose-response relationship of polyphenols on cardiovascular health from childhood onwards.
The link between polyphenols and cardiovascular health is summarised within the study findings as such:
With the results of this study, we observed that a higher urinary polyphenol excretion is linearly associated with a higher cardiovascular health index in adolescents aged 11-14, specially in children. This cardiovascular health index is defined by the criteria established by the American Heart Association (AHA), which considers seven variables: body mass index, physical activity, smoking, diet.“
Why Extra Virgin Olive Oil Is A Great Choice For Our Children Too
The SI! Program is designed by the SHE Foundation. This initiative is aimed at children aged 3-16 and its aim is to show that the acquisition of healthy habits from childhood reduces the risks of suffering from cardiovascular diseases and it improves the quality of life in adulthood
Extra Virgin Olive Oils, like Morocco Gold, are a great way to add healthy fats to your children’s diet – helping to keep their immune system and growing bodies strong.
It is a good source of vitamin E and monounsaturated fats, both of which are important for growing bodies. Extra virgin olive oil can help to improve cholesterol levels, reduce inflammation, and protect against heart disease and other chronic conditions. It can also help to improve cognitive function and reduce the risk of developing obesity. Given all of these health benefits, it is no wonder that extra virgin olive oil is often recommended as a healthy addition to the diet of children and adolescents.
A report in Mom Junction which lists seven great reasons why a high quality olive oil can benefit our children. These include promoting brain development, providing a rich source of vitamins and reduced risk of obesity.
Here is some further inspiration from Morocco Gold on how to use extra virgin olive oil as a tasty and fun addition to your family meals and snacks.
Source:
Journal reference:
Laveriano-Santos, E.P., et al. (2022) Total urinary polyphenols and ideal cardiovascular health metrics in Spanish adolescents enrolled in the SI Program: a cross-sectional study. Scientific Reports. doi.org/10.1038/s41598-022-19684-6.
