Dietary intake and biochemical risk factors for cardiovascular disease in two rural regions of Crete.

The aim of the present study was to identify any possible protective effects of wild greens on certain biochemical cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors in elderly women leaving in rural Crete. For the needs of the study a region with high consumption of wild greens (Avdou) and a region with low consumption (Anogia) were identified and a representative population from each area was recruited (n= 37 and n=35 respectively). Serum lipids and fibrinogen levels, total antioxidant capacity (TAC), soluble intercellular adhesion molucule-1 (sVCAM-1), soluble vascular adhesion molucule-1 (s-ICAM-1) and haematological factors were measured in both regions during winter and summer time when wild-green plants consumption is high and low, respectively. Regarding classic lipid risk factors for arteriosclerosis no significant different between the two regions were detected. TAC was found higher in Avdou compared to Anogia during winter screening, but null in both regions during summer. Fibrinogen was found higher in Avdou compared to Anogia while no differences between the two regions were detected for sVCAM-1 and s-ICAM-1 in both screenings. The significantly higher TAC and fibrinogen values detected in Avdou could be attributed to the higher wild green consumption in that region since recent data indicated that their content in vitamin C and E as well as flavonoids is particularly high.