Knowledge of the effects of processing on the
antioxidant properties of fruits is limited. We investigated the processing of apple (A) and purple grape (PG) and their juices (
AJ and PGJ) in hypercholesterolemic hamsters. Five groups of eight hamsters each were fed an
atherogenic diet for 12 wk. They received daily by gavage either 7.14 mL/(kg x day) of mashed A or PG, or the same volume of
AJ or PGJ, or
water as control. Plasma
cholesterol, non-HDL
cholesterol,
liver superoxide dismutase and
glutathione peroxidase activities, and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances were efficiently reduced by the fruits and their juices compared with controls, whereas plasma
antioxidant capacity was increased and
aortic fatty streak area was decreased from 48 to 93%. For each of these parameters, the efficacy was PGJ > PG >
AJ > A. The results show for the first time that long-term consumption of
antioxidants supplied by apple and purple grape, especially
phenolic compounds, prevents the development of
atherosclerosis in hamsters, and that processing can have a major impact on the potential health benefits of a product. The underlying mechanism is related mainly to increased
antioxidant status and improved serum
lipid profile.
