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Antioxidative effects of sulfurous mineral water: protection against lipid and protein oxidation

European Journal of Clinical Nutrition volume 63, pages 106–112 (2009)Cite this article

Abstract

Objectives:

To investigate the antioxidative properties of sulfurous drinking water after a standard hydropinic treatment (500 ml day−1 for 2 weeks).

Subjects/Methods:

Forty apparently healthy adults, 18 men and 22 women, age 41–55 years old. The antioxidant profile and the oxidative condition were evaluated in healthy subjects supplemented for 2 weeks with (study group) or without (controls) sulfurous mineral water both before (T0) and after (T1) treatment.

Results:

At T1, a significant decrease (P<0.05) in both lipid and protein oxidation products, namely malondialdehyde, carbonyls and AOPP, was found in plasma samples from subjects drinking sulfurous water with respect to controls. Concomitantly, a significant increment (P<0.05) of the total antioxidant capacity of plasma as well as of total plasmatic thiol levels was evidenced. Tocopherols, carotenoids and retinol remained almost unchanged before and after treatment in both groups.

Conclusions:

The improved body redox status in healthy volunteers undergoing a cycle of hydropinic therapy suggests major benefits from sulfurous water consumption in reducing biomolecule oxidation, possibly furnishing valid protection against oxidative damage commonly associated with aging and age-related degenerative diseases.

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Acknowledgements

We thank Mrs Francesca Baldon (Terme di Saturnia) for technical assistance in secretarial work.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Istituto di Istologia e Analisi di Laboratorio, Università di Urbino ‘Carlo Bo’, Urbino, Italy

    S Benedetti, F Benvenuti, S Pagliarani & F Canestrari

  2. Centro di Studi e Ricerche in Medicina Termale, Università di Milano, Milano, Italy

    G Nappi & S De Luca

  3. Terme di Saturnia, Grosseto, Italy

    N A Fortunati, L Marino & T Aureli

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  1. S Benedetti
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  2. F Benvenuti
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  7. S De Luca
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Correspondence to S Benedetti.

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Benedetti, S., Benvenuti, F., Nappi, G. et al. Antioxidative effects of sulfurous mineral water: protection against lipid and protein oxidation. Eur J Clin Nutr 63, 106–112 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ejcn.1602892

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ejcn.1602892

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