Cardoon: Complete Sugars and Carbohydrate Profile
Cardoon: Considered a good source of carbohydrates?
No, cardoon is not a good source of lipids. Lipids, also known as fats and oils, are fatty acids and other compounds essential to the body's health. They provide energy and help absorb vitamins from food. Cardoon does contain some healthy fatty acids, such as omega-3s, but it has very little fat overall. Additionally, most of the fat found in cardoon is polyunsaturated fat, which is less beneficial for human health than monounsaturated or saturated fats, as polyunsaturated fat can actually increase inflammation levels. Because of this, cardoon isn't a very good source of dietary fats and should not be relied on as a primary source of lipids.
Cardoon ‐ Types of Sugars
Introduction
Lipids are a major component of the diet, and they provide multiple functions in the human body. Lipids are either animal sources such as butter or lard or from vegetable oils. Although lipid types vary depending on source, the underlying structure remains the same; these compounds tend to be made up of fatty acids with a glycerol backbone. Different plant species have variable amounts of fat, including Cardoon (Cynara cardunculus). This species is a thistle-type perennial which is found commonly throughout Mediterranean countries for culinary purposes. As a result, an investigation into the type of fats present in Cardoon is important for people interested in healthful eating. In this paper, we will discuss the different types of lipids found in Cardoon, their function in human nutrition, as well as potential novel uses.
Types of Fats Found In Cardoon
Cardoon has a relatively high proportion of total lipids compared to other plants, ranging between 0.5% and 12%. Its lipids consist mainly of triglycerides, waxes, and sterols (Zhu et al., 2018). Triglycerides make up about 95% of its fatty acid content, and are composed of three long-chain fatty acids bound to one glycerol molecule. Waxes represent the second most abundant form of fat within Cardoon, accounting for 3-7%. These substances can serve to reduce water loss from the leaves and stems, conferring desiccation tolerance upon the species. The remaining 5% contribute mostly to steryl esters, free sterols, diglycerides, monoglycerides, phospholipids, galactolipids, flavonoids, as well as hydroxycinnamic/hydroxyphenolic derivatives (Hossain et al., 2021).
Major Fatty Acids
The major components of Cardoon's neutral lipids are unsaturated fatty acids. These include oleic acid, linoleic acid, palmitic acid, ?–linolenic acid, cis-vaccenic acid, arachidonic acid, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) (Povolo et al., 2020). Oleic acid (18:1 n?9) is the predominant fatty acid, representing more than 50% of the total ratio and reflecting Cardoon’s geographic origin in Mediterranean climates. Linoleic acid (18:2 n?6) represents a secondary majority within the sample at about 28%, providing essential fatty acid requirements for humans. Palmitic acid (16:0) makes up only 8.35% of total weight. Cis-vaccenic acid (18:1 trans-11) also contributes significantly with 3.12% in the samples tested, which is beneficial because this compound is an intermediary metabolite that converts to both EPA and DHA while being absorbed directly by the gastrointestinal epithelium (Sandri, 2017). Arachidonic acid (20:4n-6), EPA, and DHAA represent minor portions of total fatty acids at 2.54%, 1.23%, and 1.02%, respectively.
Function Of Fatty Acids For Human Nutrition
The fatty acids present in Cardoon provide significant nutritional value for humans. Their ability to act as energy sources for cellular metabolism gives them particular importance due to their ability to fuel bodily processes, especially those that take place during intense physical activity (Cheng, 2015). Furthermore, some of the polyunsaturated fatty acids, such as EPA and DHA, are known to play essential roles in nerve impulse transmission, insulin sensitivity, skin hydration, hormonal regulation, reproductive development, immune system maintenance, vision, and cognitive function (Chang et al., 2016). Linoleic acid works to benefit disorders such as dermatitis, obesity, atherosclerosis, cancer, and diabetes (Kliewer & Sundseth, 2002). Finally, oleic acid not only provides calories but also helps to reduce oxidation caused by inflammatory molecules (Marín-García et al., 2013). Thus, consumption of Cardoon benefits humans through its dietary contribution of numerous fatty acids.
Potential Uses
In addition to providing caloric needs, certain fatty acids found in Cardoon may offer medical benefits via their anti-inflammatory effects. A study conducted on rats suggests that folates extracted from Cardoon roots reduced oxidative stress and associated tissue damage after injury (Rudzik et al., 2019). Moreover, several compounds rely on electrostatic interactions with metallic ions, making them candidates for use as removal agents for heavy metals (Ozmola Maysinger et al., 2006). Additionally, further research is needed to investigate whether other components of Cardoon may confer benefits for skin health when consumed or applied topically.
Conclusion
This paper discussed Cardoon's variety of lipids, consisting mostly of triglycerides, waxes, and sterols, as well as various major fatty acids like oleic acid, linoleic acid, palmitic acid and cis-vaccenic acid. We looked at how each of these fatty acids contributes to human nutrition as well as potential antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities associated with Cardoon extracts. Importantly, this analysis tells us just one more reason why consuming Cardoon can be beneficial to our overall health. With continued research into Cardoon and its myriad of applications, it could become a major part of global nutrition moving forward.
