Articles
International requirements for demonstrating the beneficial effects of tomato products on atherosclerosis prevention
Article number
1351_37
Pages
249 – 256
Language
English
Abstract
World Health Organization defines cardiovascular disease (CVD) as a group of disorders of the heart and blood vessels that includes numerous problems often related to a process called atherosclerosis.
Platelet hyperaggregability is an important risk factor for coronary artery disease.
The scientific evidence on CVD prevention and antiplatelet effect has been reviewed and analyzed for the intake of tomato products and its potential health claims based upon previous work.
The positive antiplatelet effects of tomato products on atherosclerosis and CVD can be attributed to different bioactive components of the tomato, including lycopene, phenolic compounds, vitamin E, and other compounds.
The content and bioavailability of these nutrients and bioactive compounds naturally present in tomatoes can vary depending on the variety and type of product: fresh or processed as tomato paste, puree, juice, soup or sauce.
International regulatory framework in relation to CVD health claims in Europe (EFSA), United States (FDA) and Japan (FOSHU) was reviewed.
EFSA requirements for demonstrating the beneficial effects of nutrients and bioactives on lipid oxidative damage (lipid peroxidation) can be obtained in vivo by measuring changes in the following biomarkers: F2-isoprostanes in 24-h urine samples, oxidized LDL particles in the blood, and phosphatidylcholine hydroperoxides (PCOOH) measured in the blood or tissue.
Up to date, EFSA has evaluated 30 requests for approval of health claims referred to tomato and/or lycopene.
Only one of them got the approval and correspond to a concentrated extract of tomato soluble in water (WSTC) marketed as Fruitflow® with two forms of presentation: WSTC I and II. The approved claim is helping to maintain normal platelet aggregation, which contributes to healthy blood flow. We have analyzed the most relevant studies identified via a standardized PubMed search using keywords such as tomato, platelet and antiplatelet in relation to internationally valid biomarkers to prove a reduction on platelet aggregation by tomato products.
Studies with different degrees of scientific evidence (clinical trials and metaanalysis) have demonstrated potential beneficial effects of fresh tomatoes, tomato products and tomato pomace extracts for the prevention of CVD and particularly for intermediate cardiovascular outcomes including platelet aggregation.
As a result, we believe that the bioactive compounds contained in tomatoes, tomato food products or extracts could meaningfully contribute and promote antioxidant and antiplatelet effects in the human body to complement existing established pharmacologic interventions for the primary and secondary prevention of CVD.
Platelet hyperaggregability is an important risk factor for coronary artery disease.
The scientific evidence on CVD prevention and antiplatelet effect has been reviewed and analyzed for the intake of tomato products and its potential health claims based upon previous work.
The positive antiplatelet effects of tomato products on atherosclerosis and CVD can be attributed to different bioactive components of the tomato, including lycopene, phenolic compounds, vitamin E, and other compounds.
The content and bioavailability of these nutrients and bioactive compounds naturally present in tomatoes can vary depending on the variety and type of product: fresh or processed as tomato paste, puree, juice, soup or sauce.
International regulatory framework in relation to CVD health claims in Europe (EFSA), United States (FDA) and Japan (FOSHU) was reviewed.
EFSA requirements for demonstrating the beneficial effects of nutrients and bioactives on lipid oxidative damage (lipid peroxidation) can be obtained in vivo by measuring changes in the following biomarkers: F2-isoprostanes in 24-h urine samples, oxidized LDL particles in the blood, and phosphatidylcholine hydroperoxides (PCOOH) measured in the blood or tissue.
Up to date, EFSA has evaluated 30 requests for approval of health claims referred to tomato and/or lycopene.
Only one of them got the approval and correspond to a concentrated extract of tomato soluble in water (WSTC) marketed as Fruitflow® with two forms of presentation: WSTC I and II. The approved claim is helping to maintain normal platelet aggregation, which contributes to healthy blood flow. We have analyzed the most relevant studies identified via a standardized PubMed search using keywords such as tomato, platelet and antiplatelet in relation to internationally valid biomarkers to prove a reduction on platelet aggregation by tomato products.
Studies with different degrees of scientific evidence (clinical trials and metaanalysis) have demonstrated potential beneficial effects of fresh tomatoes, tomato products and tomato pomace extracts for the prevention of CVD and particularly for intermediate cardiovascular outcomes including platelet aggregation.
As a result, we believe that the bioactive compounds contained in tomatoes, tomato food products or extracts could meaningfully contribute and promote antioxidant and antiplatelet effects in the human body to complement existing established pharmacologic interventions for the primary and secondary prevention of CVD.
Publication
Authors
M. Cámara, V. Fernández-Ruiz, M.-C. Sánchez-Mata, R.M. Cámara, L. Domínguez, A. Kardinaal, M. van Lieshout, H.D. Sesso
Keywords
atherosclerosis, platelet aggregation, tomato products, health claims
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