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Ellagitannins

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Handbook of Food Bioactive Ingredients

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Abstract

Ellagitannins (ET) are phytochemicals with potent antioxidant properties found in many natural foods. In particular, ETs have been studied extensively in pomegranate juice, extracts, and supplements. In this book chapter we provide details on the sources of ETs, ET digestion and metabolism into ellagic acid (EA) which are further metabolized into different urolithins via the gut microbiota. The chapter then expands on the bioavailability of ETs, EA, and urolithins followed by a review of their main health benefits, particularly in relation to cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and cancer with a focus on antioxidant activity. We review the toxicology data from human and in vivo studies which highlight the safety of ET foods and supplements even at high doses. Finally, we report on ET’s current and future applications in the nutraceutical and functional food ingredients industries, including potential carrier systems and quality control for product development.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Riddet Institute, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand

    Noha Ahmed Nasef

  2. School of Food and Advanced Technology, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand

    Noha Ahmed Nasef

  3. Anagenix, Auckland, New Zealand

    Doug Rosendale & Starin McKeen

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  1. Noha Ahmed Nasef
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  2. Doug Rosendale
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Correspondence to Noha Ahmed Nasef .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. International Iberian Food Laboratory, University of Vigo, Vigo, Spain

    Seid Mahdi Jafari

  2. Massey University, Riddet Institute, Palmerston North, New Zealand

    Ali Rashidinejad

  3. Nutrition and Food Science Group, University of Vigo, Vigo, Spain

    Jesus Simal-Gandara

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  1. Massey University, Riddet Institute, Palmerston North, New Zealand

    Ali Rashidinejad

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Ahmed Nasef, N., Rosendale, D., McKeen, S. (2022). Ellagitannins. In: Jafari, S.M., Rashidinejad, A., Simal-Gandara, J. (eds) Handbook of Food Bioactive Ingredients. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-81404-5_11-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-81404-5_11-1

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  • Print ISBN: 978-3-030-81404-5

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-030-81404-5

  • eBook Packages: Springer Reference Biomedicine and Life SciencesReference Module Biomedical and Life Sciences

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