A potential beneficial anti-atherosclerotic effect of supplementing the diet with buckwheat sprouts (Fagopyrum esculentum Moench). A study in rats

Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death in Europe. The present study investigated the anti-atherosclerotic effect which the addition of buckwheat sprouts to the lard-fed rats exhibited. Adult male Wistar rats were divided into four groups: control group fed a diet with corn starch, high-fat group which received diet containing 300g/kg of lard, buckwheat group which received lyophilized buckwheat sprouts at the dose of 100 g/kg, and fourth group which received 300g/kg of lard and buckwheat sprouts at the dose of 100 g/kg. Supplementing the diet of rats with buckwheat sprouts resulted in reduced weight gain and protected against weight rise in fat-fed rats. Both dietary factors improved antioxidant protection system and oxidant stress indices. Sprouts ameliorated lipid profile and increased paraoxonase-1 activity in plasma and liver. These findings suggest that buckwheat sprouts supplement to the lard-containing diet had a protective, anti-atherosclerotic effect and may exhibit a significant beneficial health effect in the Western diet-consuming population.