TY - JOUR IS - 15 Y1 - 2024/07// KW - flavan-3-ols; polyphenols; inflammation; vascular; gut microbiota AV - public VL - 16 JF - Nutrients A1 - Godos, Justyna A1 - Romano, Giovanni Luca A1 - Laudani, Samuele A1 - Gozzo, Lucia A1 - Guerrera, Ida A1 - Dominguez Azpíroz, Irma A1 - Martínez Díaz, Raquel A1 - Quiles, José L. A1 - Battino, Maurizio A1 - Drago, Filippo A1 - Giampieri, Francesca A1 - Galvano, Fabio A1 - Grosso, Giuseppe N2 - Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are one of the main causes of mortality and morbidity worldwide. A healthy diet rich in plant-derived compounds such as (poly)phenols appears to have a key role in improving cardiovascular health. Flavan-3-ols represent a subclass of (poly)phenols of great interest for their possible health benefits. In this review, we summarized the results of clinical studies on vascular outcomes of flavan-3-ol supplementation and we focused on the role of the microbiota in CVD. Clinical trials included in this review showed that supplementation with flavan-3-ols mostly derived from cocoa products significantly reduces blood pressure and improves endothelial function. Studies on catechins from green tea demonstrated better results when involving healthy individuals. From a mechanistic point of view, emerging evidence suggests that microbial metabolites may play a role in the observed effects. Their function extends beyond the previous belief of ROS scavenging activity and encompasses a direct impact on gene expression and protein function. Although flavan-3-ols appear to have effects on cardiovascular health, further studies are needed to clarify and confirm these potential benefits and the rising evidence of the potential involvement of the microbiota. TI - Flavan-3-ols and Vascular Health: Clinical Evidence and Mechanisms of Action UR - http://doi.org/10.3390/nu16152471 ID - uninimx14366 SN - 2072-6643 ER -