4. Conclusions
These results indicate that foods with high levels of phenolic compounds should be studied using several different biological assays, before being recommended to the general public as functional foods. Given the current data on in-vitro and ex-vivo alleviation of oxidative stress and in vitro vasodilatory activity, Cannonau wine and myrtle liqueur are very promising nutraceutical foods. Future studies should focus on extensive mechanistic investigation into various types of bioactivity, complete pharmacokinetic studies, as well as on clinical evaluation of both pure phenolic compounds, and complex extracts or fractions from the studied foods to be used as supplements with antioxidant activities.