They are the most widely produced fruit in the world and now scientists in Japan have discovered that tomatoes contain a nutrient which could tackle the onset of vascular diseases. The research, published in the journal Molecular Nutrition & Food Research, reveals that an extracted compound, 9-oxo-octadecadienoic, has anti-dyslipidemic affects.
The team led by Teruo Kawada, PhD from Kyoto University and supported by the Research and Development Program for New Bio-industry Initiatives, Japan, focused their research on extracts which tackle dyslipidemia, a condition which is caused by an abnormal amount of lipids, such as cholesterol or fat, in the blood stream.
“Dyslipidemia itself usually causes no symptoms, however; it can lead to symptomatic vascular diseases … In order to prevent these diseases it is important to prevent an increased build up of lipids,” Kawada stated in a press release.
For this study the team analyzed 9-oxo-octadecadienoic acid, to test its potential anti-dyslipidemia properties. The compound was found to enhance fatty acid oxidation and contributed to the regulation of hepatic lipid metabolism. These findings suggest that 9-oxo-octadecadienoic acid has anti-dyslipidemia affects and can therefore help prevent vascular diseases.
“Finding a compound which helps the prevention of obesity-related chronic diseases in foodstuffs is a great advantage to tackling these diseases,” Kawada said. “It means that the tomato allows people to easily manage the onset of dyslipidemia through their daily diet.”
