News
Evidence of antiplatelet aggregation effects
… from the consumption of tomato products, according to EFSA health claim requirements
Montaña Cámara, Virginia Fernández-Ruiz, María-Cortes Sánchez-Mata, Laura Domínguez Díaz, Alwine Kardinaal & Machteld van Lieshout
Montaña Cámara, Virginia Fernández-Ruiz, María-Cortes Sánchez-Mata, Laura Domínguez Díaz, Alwine Kardinaal & Machteld van Lieshout
The beneficial effect of fresh tomatoes or processed tomato products on platelet aggregation depends on the presence of bioactive compounds in these products, in sufficient quantities to produce a relevant physiological effect when consumed as part of a normal diet. This work is focused on reviewing the development of studies on the bioactive compounds of tomato products, particularly with reference to their potential biological activity with beneficial effects on the prevention of platelet aggregation.
Objective
With all previous information suggesting a positive effect of tomato and tomato products in preventing CVD due to different risk factor reductions, this review is aimed at analyzing the scientific evidence on platelet aggregation prevention by the intake of tomato products and their potential health claims according to EFSA requirements.
With all previous information suggesting a positive effect of tomato and tomato products in preventing CVD due to different risk factor reductions, this review is aimed at analyzing the scientific evidence on platelet aggregation prevention by the intake of tomato products and their potential health claims according to EFSA requirements.
Conclusion
As it is reported, different epidemiological studies and interventional trials have evaluated the association between the intake of tomato products and CVD and/or their risk factors progression. To date, the EFSA NDA Panel has evaluated a claim on the maintenance of normal platelet aggregation (WSTC case), with a favorable opinion, resulting in the commercial distribution of Fruitflow®.
After reviewing the most relevant studies found in the search, scientists consider that all bioactive compounds found in WSTC are in the tomato fruit and other tomato products, and there is evidence of their beneficial effect, as WSTC is made from tomato concentrate and the same bioactive content of a single dose of Fruitflow® is found in around 12 g of tomato paste (30% Natural Tomato Soluble Solids, NTSS) or 70 ml of tomato juice (5% NTSS). According to European Food Safety Authority requirements, further intervention studies (human clinical trials) using valid markers should be performed in order to demonstrate the beneficial effects of the consumption of tomato products (paste, puree, sauce or juice) on platelet aggregation.
Our PubMed review results support the development of promising nutritional strategies involving tomatoes and tomato products in the effort to tackle cardiovascular disease through antiplatelet aggregation.
Following these results, The Tomato Foundation is currently analysing tomato products to check their level of bioactive compounds with the aim of applying for a new health claim.
The full report is available here.
