Fruit, folate antioxidant vitamins

Evidence that a diet rich in fruits and vegetables may protect against coronary heart disease is accumulating. It is unclear exactly which substances in fruits and vegetables are responsible for the observed inverse association with cardiovascular disease. The inverse association may be attributed to folate, antioxidant vitamins, or other constituents such as fiber, potassium, fla-vonoids, or other phytochemicals. The protective effect of folate may be attributed to its role as a cosubstrate in homocysteine metabolism (Eichholzer et al., 2001). 

The observed associations between folate, antioxidant vitamins, and cardiovascular disease may be confounded by other substances in fruits and vegetables, as the following examples of studies show Flavonoids (see Chapter 31) are naturally occurring, water-soluble antioxidants found widely distributed in vegetables, fruits, tea, and wine. There is an inverse relationship between flavonoids and decreased risk of coronary heart disease. Lycopene, the key antioxidant in tomatoes, shows an inverse association with myocardial infarctions. There is an inverse association between folate and cardiovascular disease. 

Eichholzer, M. et al., The role of folate, antioxidant vitamins and other constituents in fruit and vegetables in the prevention of cardiovascular disease the epidemiological evidence, Int. J. Vitam. Nutr. Res., 71, 5-17, 2001. 

Data suggest that many nutrients in fruits and vegetables (e.g., dietary fiber, folate, potassium, flavonoids, and antioxidant vitamins) are associated with reduced risk of CVD. These findings are consistent with smdies showing an association between decreased risk of CVD and total intake of fruits and vegetables (Figure 9.1). Knekt... 

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