“Functionalizing” foods are ideal for fighting inflammation

Lchronic inflammation it is the main obstacle to achieving general well-being of the body and longevity. The body is constantly exposed to emotional stress or dependent on external agents such as pollution and the wrong diet. These factors attack the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory defenses, causing dysbiosis and inflammatory pathologies. A state that can be fought through movement, l’proper nutrition and disciplines that help consciously manage anxiety and negative emotions.

“In the last ten years the vision of food has changed: from energy for the body it has become nourishing for health and has taken on a fundamental role in prolonging life”, said Dr. Elena Lonati during the meeting “Well-being, functional nutrition and sporting activity “, created in collaboration with SIFA – Italian Society of Fitness and Nutrition.

FUNCTIONAL ANTI-INFLAMMATORY FOODS

The concept of functional food was born in the 80s and refers to those foods that have specific health benefits. I am not a medicine, but they are scientifically studied nutrients that, if taken regularly, reduce the risk of disease and bring well-being.

In addition to naturally functional foods, there are different types of foods added to be functional. For example, in the enriched foods the concentration of a nutrient already present as in milk in which calcium is added is increased, while the supplemented foods they are those in which the nutrient is not originally present, such as eggs with omega 3. Gli fortified foods instead, they are widely used foods designed to compensate for nutritional deficiencies without modifying their energy value. One above all is iodized salt, to which a mineral useful for the functioning of the thyroid is added.

WHY CHOOSE FUNCTIONAL FOODS

Functional foods have a positive effect on various body functions. From the gastrointestinal point of view, they keep the bacterial flora in balance and help the immune defenses; they control cholesterol and triglycerides thus reducing cardiovascular diseases; they fight oxidative stress thanks to the action of polyphenols, carotenoids, flavonoids and vitamins that balance oxidant activity and defense mechanisms; phytonutrients protect the body from toxicity and carcinogenicity caused by xenobiotics; omega 3 also have the ability to regulate the metabolic pathways of saturated gaseous acids.

THE STUDY: THE POWER OF CINNAMON FOR INTESTINAL INFLAMMATION

The Bicocca Center of Science and Technology for Food research center conducted a study of the bioactivity of phytoextracts of different origins in in vitro cell models. In particular, the effectiveness of cinnamon extract for inflammatory diseases affecting the intestine was analyzed, a fundamental organ on which the proper functioning of the immune system and also the mood depend. In fact, it is thought that 90% of serotonin, the neurotransmitter hormone associated with good mood, is produced in the intestine..

The study found that the cinnamon is a very effective phytonutrient to counteract the inflammatory bowel diseases, that are created when the intestinal barrier loses integrity and becomes permeable. “When the barrier is no longer permeable and an inflammatory context occurs, an increase in the Claudin 2 protein is observed with a 9-fold higher trans-epithelial resistance,” explained Lonati. “The recovery of trans-epithelial resistance after the intake of cinnamon digest seems to be connected to a regulation of this pro-inflammatory cytokine that decreases its expression by 40%”.

Cinnamon extract could therefore be used for the creation of new functionalizing foods as a form of prevention or support for any drug therapies.