Are carrots the secret to a strong heart? According to a recent study, those who have high blood levels of carotenes are likely to have less artery atherosclerosis, which lowers their chance of developing cardiovascular problems.
The study, which was carried out by scientists from the Universitat Oberta de Catalunya (UOC) and the Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), focused on carotenes, bioactive substances that are prevalent in yellow, orange, and green fruits and vegetables like carrots, spinach, tomatoes, and sweet potatoes.
Although the beneficial effects of nutrition on cardiovascular health are widely known, prior studies on the impact of carotenes on atherosclerosis (a condition in which the arteries constrict and harden) have produced conflicting results.
Surprisingly, studies on carotene supplements have even suggested potential harm.
Led by Gemma Chiva Blanch, a prominent figure in the IDIBAPS translational research in diabetes, lipids, and obesity group, the research team shed light on the positive correlation between carotenes and cardiovascular health.
Atherosclerotic plaques can develop as a result of atherosclerosis, which is characterised by the buildup of LDL or "bad" cholesterol on the inner walls of blood vessels. These plaques reduce the diameter of the blood channel and obstruct blood flow. When blood supply to the heart or brain is impeded, these plaques may occasionally burst and form clots, causing heart attacks or ischemic strokes.
The research team looked at 200 individuals from the Carotid Atherosclerosis in Newly Diagnosed Type 2 Diabetic Individuals (DIABIMCAP) cohort, who ranged in age from 50 to 70, to further investigate this. Carotene levels in the patients' blood were measured, and ultrasound imaging was performed to determine whether there were atherosclerotic plaques in the carotid artery.
FRUIT AND VEGETABLES LOWER CHOLESTEROL
According to the study, those who have atherosclerosis had lower levels of big HDL particles, or "good" cholesterol, than those who don't. The researchers also discovered that there were advantageous relationships between big and medium HDL particles and -carotene, an antioxidant present in some fruits and vegetables.
On the other hand, they discovered that total carotene and -carotene, another form of antioxidant, were negatively correlated with LDL and its medium/small particles.
The study also showed that blood levels of total carotene were considerably lower in persons with atherosclerosis than in those without the condition. The levels of carotene in the blood dropped as the quantity of atherosclerotic plaques (buildup in the arteries) grew. However, only in women did the inverse connection between -carotene and total carotene with plaque load continue to be significant after controlling for a number of other variables.
The importance of their discoveries was emphasised by Chiva Blanch, a researcher and associate professor at the UOC's Faculty of Health Sciences. Chiva Blanch stated in a statement that the study "concludes that the greater the concentration of carotenes in the blood, the lesser the atherosclerotic burden, particularly in women."
THANK YOU FOR READING,KINDLY FOLLOW MORE AWESOME CONTENTS