The bitter Asteraceae: An interesting approach to delay the metabolic syndrome progression

Abstract

The prevalence of metabolic syndrome (METS) directly correlates with the prevalence of obesity, and it is associated with several other risk factors. Among them, chronic inflammation, oxidative stress and insulin resistance might be reduced in order to delay the progression of METS. The first management of METS involves physical exercises and a suitable diet. Many Asteraceae are plants commonly consumed. The bitter Asteraceae known for their health effect are traditionally used as bitter drinks. Their particularly rich contents in sesquiterpene lactones and hydroxy-cinnamic acids mainly in caffeoyl derivatives, confer to these plants good anti-METS potential. These compounds are known for their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and insulin sensitizing effects and confer to bitter Asteraceae the potential to be good candidate products to delay METS.