LONDON: There might be something to the adage “an apple a day keeps the doctor away.”
Scientists in the Netherlands have evidence that flavonoids chemicals naturally present in certain foods and drinks including apples, onions and tea may reduce the risk of death from coronary heart disease, Previous studies have suggested that flavonoids in red wine might provide similar protection,
The findings, reported in the current issue of The Lancet, are from a five year study of 805 Dutch men ages 65 to $4.
Scientists led by Dr. Michael Hertog, an epidemiologist at the National Institute of Public Health in Bilthoven, the Netherlands, found that men who consumed the highest amounts of flavonoids suffered about half as many fatal heart attacks as men who consumed the lowest amounts.
The results remained firm even after taking into account many other risk factors, such as high blood pressure, obesity, high cholesterol and smoking.
“We found that men who had a higher intake of Mavonoids had a lower risk of death from coronary heart disease and of having a first heart attack,” Hertog said.
High consumption of flavonoids could come from four cups of tea or a large apple a day.
Although a high intake of flavonoids might merely indicate a healthy diet or way of life, the scientists found that in this study, the men’s biggest source of flavonoids came from tea. “The indications from these studies are that tea drinking may have a weak protective effect against coronary heart disease,” Bair said. Scientists speculate that flavonoids might protect the heart by preventing the formation of plaque that clogs the arteries, by lowering blood cholesterol or by lowering ‘blood pressure. (Courtsey: New York Times).
Article extracted from this publication >> November 5, 1993
