The Agents' Mission: Is It Possible to Reach the Target?

Bioavailability and the Secret Lab

Do those powerful agents (phytochemicals) in dried fruits actually enter our bodies? Scientists are using an interesting method to find the answer to this question: In Vitro Models!

This refers to a Simulated Human Body that replicates the entire digestive process—from the mouth to the large intestine—in the laboratory.

• Bioaccessibility: The proportion of active compounds released from the ingested food matrix. (The agent’s escape rate from prison!)
• Bioavailability: It is the rate at which the released agent becomes ready for absorption in the intestine. (The agent’s readiness to escape and reach its target!)

For an agent to have an effect on health, it must first be released from the food matrix and then become suitable for absorption.

Prunes Are at the Top, and Their Power Is Growing!

Research shows that the phenols in dried fruits are definitely absorbable. But which agent came out on top? Dried plums (prunes)! While they rank at the top in terms of the bioavailability of phenols, cranberries and dates yielded lower results in this regard.

A surprising finding: The antioxidant activity of many dried fruits actually increases even further after the digestive process! These compounds become more potent when broken down, and the released molecules become more effective.

The Secret of Dates and the Kiwi Surprise

A detailed study on dates showed that 37% to 70% of phenols are released during digestion, and this percentage increases even further in the post-gastric process.

On the other hand, when dried kiwi slices were examined, although their biological activity was lower compared to other kiwi products, they were found to contain the highest levels of mineral elements per unit weight. So we’ve discovered a different kind of treasure!

Conclusion: Real-Life Testing Is Essential!

Although in vitro studies are fast, inexpensive, and ethically unproblematic, they cannot fully replicate human physiology.

To fully understand the real-world benefits and biological effects of these agents, it is essential to compare laboratory results with clinical studies conducted on humans (in vivo). Only then can we know for certain whether the agents achieve their ultimate goal!