According to the findings of a recent study, Fruitflow, a polyphenol-rich tomato extract marketed by Royal DSM, was found to reduce fasting levels of trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO) in blood and urine samples of obese adults, thereby showing its role in reducing a risk marker for adverse cardiovascular events. The study was published in The Journal of Nutrition.
The study was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, with 22 overweight and obese individuals between 35-65 years of age. They were on a daily dose of polyphenol-rich extract for four weeks. Stool, urine, and blood samples were collected to analyze changes in plasma TMAO along with fecal microbiota, metabolites, and urine TMAO. While the control group showed no significant changes in urine and plasma TMAO, the Fruitflow group showed significant reduction in plasma lipopolysaccharides.
Bacteroides, Ruminococcus, and Hungatella which are involved in TMAO metabolism, were found in lower levels in the treatment group. TMAO is a biomarker associated with cardiovascular disease, intestinal permeability, and low-grade inflammation. Lipopolysaccharides increase intestinal permeability which rises due to altered gut microbiota, along with TMAO. Fruitflow supplementation resulted in reduction of both these biomarkers.
Based on the results of the study, it was concluded that polyphenol-rich extracts may lower TMAO levels and lower chances of having clot-related events such as heart attacks and stroke in overweight and obese individuals.
Source: Mike Montemarano. Polyphenol-rich extract shown to reduce cardiovascular risk marker. The Journal of Nutrition. https://www.nutraceuticalsworld.com/contents/view_online-exclusives/2023-02-20/polyphenol-rich-extract-shown-to-reduce-cardiovascular-risk-marker/1426.
