Biomarkers of the metabolic syndrome: influence of selected foodstuffs, containing bioactive components

The influence of various non-nutritive bioactive foodstuffs and food components on the biomarkers of the metabolic syndrome in humans is critically reviewed. tea, coffee, cocoa, soy, olive oil, fruit and nuts are most of the time found to be effective in improving lipid profiles, crp and adiponectin. spices (garlic, curcumin and cinnamon), carotenoids and the phytosterol/-stanols are frequently related to lower risk of metabolic syndrome and improved biomarkers. since food is a complex matrix and the heterogeneity of studied population and served diets are not always well-defined, this could explain some contradictory results found in literature. other factors jeopardizing definite conclusions are mentioned.