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Annurca ( Malus pumila Miller cv. Annurca) apple as a functional food for the contribution to a healthy balance of plasma cholesterol levels: results of a randomized clinical trial
Author(s) -
Tenore Gian Carlo,
Caruso Domenico,
Buonomo Giuseppe,
D'Urso Emanuela,
D'Avino Maria,
Campiglia Pietro,
Marinelli Luciana,
Novellino Ettore
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
journal of the science of food and agriculture
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.782
H-Index - 142
eISSN - 1097-0010
pISSN - 0022-5142
DOI - 10.1002/jsfa.8016
Subject(s) - malus , cholesterol , placebo , randomized controlled trial , medicine , high density lipoprotein , cultivar , zoology , biology , botany , alternative medicine , pathology
BACKGROUND Recent human studies have evaluated the effect of daily apple consumption on plasma cholesterol level, which is recognized as an important risk factor for cardiovascular disease ( CVD ). Nevertheless, slightly significant effects have been generally registered although consuming more than two apples a day for several weeks. RESULTS This study describes the influence of daily consumption of Annurca apples on the cholesterol levels of mildly hypercholesterolaemic healthy subjects. A monocentric, randomized, parallel‐group, placebo‐controlled, 4‐month study was conducted. The subjects ( n = 250) were randomly assigned to five treatment groups (each one of 50 subjects: 28 men and 22 women). Four groups were administered one apple per day among the following: Red Delicious, Granny Smith, Fuji, Golden Delicious. The fifth group was asked to consume two Annurca apples per day, since the weight of this cultivar is on average half that of the commercial ones considered in this study. Comparing results, Annurca led to the most significant outcome, allowing a reduction in total and low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol levels by 8.3% and 14.5%, respectively, and an increase in high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol levels by 15.2% (all P < 0.001). CONCLUSION Our data would reasonably indicate Annurca apple as a useful tool to contribute to the prevention of CVD risk through normal diet. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry