Health effects of seasonal consumption of local phenolic-rich fruits

Identifier:  TDX:3179

Handle: https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11797/TDX3179

Authors:  Cruz Carrión, Álvaro Javier

Abstract:
Nutrition-related factors are the main determinants of noncommunicable diseases, which are currently the leading cause of mortality and morbidity in the world. As part of a healthy dietary pattern, World Health Organization recommends a minimum of 400 g of fruits and vegetables per day for the prevention of chronic diseases. Fruits and vegetables are known to be rich in phytochemicals, such as phenolic compounds, which promotes health effects. In this sense, xenohormesis theory postulates that when heterotrophs consume the phytochemicals synthesized by stressed plants, these compounds act as signals of the external conditions in which the plants were grown and allow them to adapt to changes in the environment. Therefore, each plant contains a characteristic phenolic composition providing information about environmental conditions. In this respect, the objective of this thesis was to evaluate whether geographical origin of cultivation, farming systems and seasonal consumption can condition the bioactivity and bioavailability of phenolic compounds from plant-based foods. To meet this objective, it was determined whether the cultivation system conditions the concentration of phenolic compounds and the antioxidant capacity of local plant-based food grown in the Camp de Tarragona, Spain. Subsequently, we evaluated whether the geographical origin of tomato and sweet cherry cultivation and their seasonal consumption influences their bioactivity and phenolic bioavailability.