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Effect of wild blueberry (Vaccinium angustifolium) juice consumption on cardiovascular and inflammatory markers in male participants
Author(s) -
MurphyWalsh Gina,
GottschallPass Katherine,
SweeneyNixon Marva
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.23.1_supplement.563.9
Subject(s) - medicine , vaccinium , adiponectin , placebo , crossover study , insulin resistance , type 2 diabetes , dipper , insulin , physiology , endocrinology , diabetes mellitus , blood pressure , biology , botany , alternative medicine , pathology , ambulatory blood pressure
Wild blueberries are rich in antioxidants and may offer a novel approach to treat heart disease due to anti‐inflammatory properties. Thus, this study examined the effect of human consumption of wild blueberry juice on markers of cardiovascular disease. Fourteen middle‐aged men with cardiovascular risk factors consumed wild blueberry juice for 3 weeks in a single‐blind, randomized, placebo‐controlled, crossover intervention trial (with a 2‐week washout). Exclusion criteria included use of lipid‐altering medications or history of inflammatory disease. Compliance was monitored using 3‐day food records. Fasting blood samples were taken at the beginning and end of each treatment period, and serum analyzed. In general, results were not statistically significant. However there were trends toward an increase in adiponectin, and a decrease in serum glucose (p=0.075) and insulin concentrations in the treatment group. Insulin resistance, estimated using the homeostasis model assessment, decreased in the treatment group whereas it increased in the placebo group. Also, blueberry lowered levels of inflammatory cytokines (IL‐6, CRP, TNFα (p=0.081)). These results suggest that dietary blueberry may exhibit cardio‐protective properties in men. However, more studies with a greater sample size and longer treatment time are needed to further define efficacy and dose. [Funded by PEI WBGA and AIF]