How can phenol-phytochemicals protect our arteries?
Polyphenols can protect our arteries through the following mechanisms: • Lowering LDL cholesterol in the blood. A study conducted to evaluate the effect of moderate Sicilian red wine consumption on cardiovascular risk factors found that at the end of the red wine intake period, 4 weeks, LDL cholesterol and oxidized LDL had significantly decreased, while HDL Cholesterol and the total antioxidant capacity of the blood had increased. 1 • Recycling vitamin E as an antioxidant. This is very important because vitamin E represents the first line of defense against LDL oxidation. Once vitamin E is exhausted, LDL cholesterol is no longer protected until the vitamin can be reactivated by agents such as polyphenols. • Increasing the production of nitric oxide, a substance that causes the arteries and veins to relax. • Preventing platelets from sticking to the inside walls of the arteries. Platelets are tiny particles found in the blood that play an important part in the clotting process.
