Antioxidant Capacity of Colombian Tropical Fruits with Dietary Potential to Reduce Risk of Cardiovascular Diseases ^†

Abstract

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) remain a leading cause of death globally and in Colombia. Oxidative stress plays a key role in CVD pathogenesis by promoting endothelial damage. Antioxidant compounds from fruits can mitigate oxidative stress through free radical scavenging and metal ion chelation. This review highlights tropical fruits rich in phenolic compounds and evaluates their antioxidant capacity using FRAP and DPPH methods. Evidence supports the inverse relationship between antioxidant intake and CVD incidence. Given Colombia’s fruit diversity, assessing dietary antioxidant capacity may inform strategies to improve diet quality and reduce CVD risk in the population.

1. Introduction

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the most common cause of death worldwide. In Colombia, their prevalence is estimated to be around 29.5% [1]. Among the risk factors involved in the development of CVD are dietary factors that cause metabolic alterations [2], and oxidative stress is part of the pathophysiological process involved in the development of CVD. An excess of reactive oxygen species (ROS) can lead to endothelial damage, due to the susceptibility of cell membranes to these ROS because of their composition of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) which interact with these radicals, causing endothelial dysfunction that is associated with inflammation [3].

Recent studies show that dietary antioxidant compounds can protect cell membranes by neutralizing free radicals, reducing the inflammatory response and decreasing the risk of developing CVD [4]. This antioxidant capacity has a significant impact by demonstrating that a higher antioxidant intake has been associated with a lower risk of chronic noncommunicable diseases and incidence of CVD. There are different methods for measuring antioxidant capacity; in the case of the FRAP method, it is an appropriate measure of dietary quality because it positively correlates with well-known indicators of a healthy diet [5].

When we talk about a healthy diet, we must consider the consumption of fruits, which in the case of Colombia is low according to the WHO recommendations of 400 grs/day/person [6]. Considering the availability of tropical fruits in Colombia and other Latin American countries, these fruits stand out for their high antioxidant and bioactive compound content, which given them a high antioxidant capacity. Some examples of tropical fruits consumed in the country are the following: carambolo (Averrhoa carambola L.) (vitamin A, Vitamin C, gallic acid, flavonoids, tannins) [7,8]; mango (Mangifera indica) (vitamin C, vitamin A (beta-carotene), antioxidants such as carotenoids) [9,10,11]; papaya (Carica papaya) (vitamin C, phenolic acids, flavonoids) [9,12,13]; pineapple (Ananas comosus) (vitamin C, antioxidants) [9]; guava (Psidium guajava) (vitamin C, vitamin A, antioxidant compounds (quercetin and lycopene)) [9]; golden berries (Physalis peruviana) (vitamin C, vitamin A (carotenoids), phenolic compounds) [9,14,15]; lulo (Solanum quitoense) (vitamin C, vitamin A, phenolic compounds) [16]; maracuya and gulupa (Passiflora edulis Sims.) (citric, malic, lactic, succinic, ascorbic acids) [9,16]; tamarillo (Cyphomandra betacea sendt.) (vitamins A and C, anthocyanins, carotenoids, phenolic compounds) [16,17]; curuba (Passiflora tripartida var. mollissima) (vitamins A and C, phenolic compounds) [16]; tamarind (Tamarindus indica L.) (polyphenols (apigenin, catechin), flavonoids) [9,18]; avocado (Persea americana) (phenolic compounds, flavonoids) [9,16]; and banana (Musa paradisiaca L.) (flavonoids (gallic acid, catechins, epicatechins), anthocyanins) [19]. The oxidation of LDL is one of the main causes of endothelial oxidative damage and the mechanisms by which antioxidative agents are able to inhibit oxidation is because they have the capacity of hydrogenation and capture of lipid radicals [20]. The consumption of fruits rich in antioxidants reduces endothelial oxidative damage generated by excess ROS and decreases the risk of CVD. For these reasons, this article aims to review the content of phenolic compounds and antioxidant capacity, measured by the DPPH and FRAP methods, of tropical fruits consumed in Colombia as having dietary potential to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.

2. Materials and Methods

A bibliographic search was conducted in the Medline, Web of Science, and Scopus databases, including articles published in the last 12 years in English and Spanish.

3. Results

The antioxidant content of tropical fruits may vary depending on their geographical location, growing conditions, and processing and the method used to analyze it [16,21,22,23]. The DPPH assay is used to predict antioxidant activities by a mechanism in which antioxidants act to inhibit lipid oxidation and scavenge DPPH radicals and therefore determinates free radical scavenging capacity [21]. The FRAP method measures the total antioxidant power of a substance. The FRAP method measures the ability of antioxidants to reduce ferric ion (Fe³⁺) to ferrous ion (Fe²⁺) [23] (

Table 1. Phenolic compound content, DPHH method, and FRAP method.

Fruit	Phenolic Compound Content (Eq of Gallic Acid/100 g Sample)	DPHH Method (µmol Trolox/100 g Sample	FRAP Method (µmol Trolox/g Sample)
Curuba [16]	638	55	148.1
Avocado [16]	0.20–582.9	165.10	0.8
Tamarillo [16,17]	92–300	75	50
Lulo [16]	310	60	52
Gulupa [16]	270	366	464
Papaya [12,13]	240–263	14.62	71.77
Golden berries [15]	59.2–265	243.6	345.2
Carambolo [7]	143	429.55	7106.72
Guava [9]	199.21	26.2	464
Mango [10,11]	217.6–652.6	23.7–174	3.18
Banana [19]	302.58–1323.70	8.79	11.5
Pineapple [9]	159.3–990.76	34.80–36.45	25.60–27.09
Tamarind [18]	10.82–20.23	293.93	12.96

).

4. Discussion

Antioxidants modulate the tone of the endothelium of vessels by releasing nitric oxide (NO) and reducing low-density lipoprotein (LDL) oxidation to prevent atherosclerosis, mitigate oxidative stress, and inhibit the inflammatory response [24].

Oxidative stress is associated with atherosclerosis and arterial hypertension, playing a crucial role in the progression of cardiovascular disease (CVD) [25]. Consequently, numerous researchers have investigated the relationship between diet and CVD. According to Wang et al., a diet rich in antioxidants can significantly reduce cardiovascular mortality rates, primarily due to the ability of antioxidants to neutralize free radicals and mitigate oxidative stress-induced cellular damage [26].

Fruits and vegetables are among the primary dietary sources of antioxidants. Therefore, evaluating the antioxidant capacity of foods provides critical insights, as it allows for the identification and classification of potential antioxidant sources in the diet. This information is essential for assessing dietary quality and its relationship with cardiovascular events and mortality [27]. In a study conducted by Zujko et al. (2018), the association between total dietary antioxidant capacity and the incidence of cardiovascular diseases was examined [5]. The findings revealed that higher dietary antioxidant capacity was significantly associated with lower prevalence of hypertension and diabetes.

Similarly, Shishehbor et al. (2021), in a randomized controlled trial, assessed the role of dietary antioxidants in cardiovascular risk among patients with dyslipidemia [28]. The study analyzed the consumption of black grape—rich in bioactive compounds—and found beneficial effects, including reductions in blood pressure and improved serum antioxidant capacity.

Consistent results were reported by Ma et al., who identified an inverse correlation between antioxidant capacity and coronary heart disease in a representative sample of U.S. adults, thereby supporting the role of antioxidants in mitigating disease progression.

Regarding the assessment of antioxidant capacity, Parohan et al., through a meta-analysis of prospective cohort studies, found that higher ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) values were associated with lower CVD-related mortality [29]. Similarly, De Lima, a cross-sectional study using the FRAP method reported a protective effect against oxidative DNA damage in individuals at cardiovascular risk. This was attributed to the antioxidant-mediated reduction of ferric (Fe³⁺) to ferrous (Fe²⁺) ions, which helps prevent cellular damage [30].

More recently, Zujko et al. (2022) used the FRAP method as a dietary quality indicator and observed a negative association between high dietary antioxidant load and the risk of cardiovascular disease in the Polish adult population [31].

Considering the current burden of cardiovascular diseases in Colombia, the evidence supporting the protective effects of dietary antioxidants is promising. The application of standardized antioxidant capacity measurement methods, such as FRAP, in assessing the Colombian population’s dietary intake may serve as a valuable tool for evaluating diet quality and informing preventive strategies against CVD.

5. Conclusions

In the prevention of cardiovascular diseases, the DPPH and FRAP methods are valuable for providing standardized estimates of the antioxidant capacity of foods such as tropical fruits. Antioxidants measured by DPPH and FRAP may reduce endothelial damage by inhibiting LDL oxidation, scavenging free radicals, and chelating metals processes associated with oxidative stress, inflammation, and LDL oxidation, which are key factors in disease progression. The phenolic content and antioxidant capacity of fruits can vary depending on genetic factors, ripening, climate, light exposure, fertilization, and storage conditions.