Berries: emerging impact on cardiovascular health

In the paper

“Benefits were seen in healthy subjects and in those with existing metabolic risk factors.”

What the sources say

• Not checked yetcites [32] Cao, 1998, Serum antioxidant capacity is increased by consumption of strawberries, spinach, red wine or vitamin C in elderly women, J Nutr source
• Not checked yetcites [33] Paiva, 1998, Postprandial plasma carotenoid responses following consumption of strawberries, red wine, vitamin C or spinach by elderly women, J Nutr source
• Not checked yetcites [34] Marniemi, 2000, Partial resistance of low density lipoprotein to oxidation in vivo after increased intake of berries, Nutr Metab Cardiovasc Dis
• Not checked yetcites [35] Pedersen, 2000, Effects of blueberry and cranberry juice consumption on the plasma antioxidant capacity of healthy female volunteers, Eur J Clin Nutr source
• Partly supported

  The Subjects section describes participants as apparently healthy male smokers, and the Abstract reports increased serum antioxidant levels and plasma antioxidant capacity after a vegetable burger and mixed-fruit drink. The paper did not study people with existing metabolic risk factors or isolate the effects of berries; it found no improvement in the measured markers of oxidative damage or stress. (LLM, conf=0.86)

  cites [36] van den Berg, 2001, A vegetable/fruit concentrate with high antioxidant capacity has no effect on biomarkers of antioxidant status in male smokers, J Nutr sourceExperimental — accuracy not yet measured
• Not checked yetcites [37] Simeonov, 2002, Effects of Aronia melanocarpa juice as part of the dietary regimen in patients with diabetes mellitus, Folia Med (Plovdiv.)
• Partly supported

  The Abstract reports increased postprandial serum antioxidant status after wild-blueberry consumption in healthy subjects. The Subjects section says participants had no clinical disease and excludes those taking lipid-altering or blood-pressure medication. The paper does not report benefits in a group with existing metabolic risk factors. (LLM, conf=0.90)

  cites [38] Kay, 2002, The effect of wild blueberry (Vaccinium angustifolium) consumption on post prandial serum antioxidant status in human subjects, Br J Nutr sourceExperimental — accuracy not yet measured
• Not checked yetcites [39] Mazza, 2002, Absorption of anthocyanins from blueberries and serum antioxidant status in human subjects, J Agric Food Chem source
• Not checked yetcites [40] Bub, 2003, Fruit juice consumption modulates antioxidative status, immune status and DNA damage, J Nutr Biochem source
• Partly supported

  The paper’s opening passage (indexed as Abstract; page unavailable) reports improved glucose and lipid measures after chokeberry juice consumption in people with type 2 diabetes. It reports no results for healthy subjects, and its own cranberry trial found no significant differences in the measured glucose or lipid outcomes between treatment groups. (LLM, conf=0.85)

  cites [41] Chambers, 2003, Can cranberry supplementation benefit adults with type 2 diabetes?, Diabetes Care sourceExperimental — accuracy not yet measured

In the paper

“For both strawberries and blueberries, the significant reduction in relative risk was associated with at least once per week consumption.”

What the sources say

• Not checked yetcites [28] Mink, 2007, Flavonoid intake and cardiovascular disease mortality: a prospective study in postmenopausal women, Am J Clin Nutr source

In the paper

“Currently, only 32% of adults and 13% of adolescents meet this goal of fruit intake.”

What the sources say

• Not checked yetcites [2] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2007
• Not checked yetcites [3] United States Department of Agriculture, 2004

In the paper

“In the case of blueberries, an age- and energy-adjusted model showed a significant decrease in coronary heart disease mortality, though the significance did not persist following adjustment for other confounding variables.”

What the sources say

• Not checked yetcites [28] Mink, 2007, Flavonoid intake and cardiovascular disease mortality: a prospective study in postmenopausal women, Am J Clin Nutr source

In the paper

“Human intervention studies using chokeberries, cranberries, blueberries, and strawberries (either fresh, or as juice, or freeze-dried), or purified anthocyanin extracts have demonstrated significant improvements in LDL oxidation, lipid peroxidation, total plasma antioxidant capacity, dyslipidemia, and glucose metabolism.”

What the sources say

• Not checked yetcites [32] Cao, 1998, Serum antioxidant capacity is increased by consumption of strawberries, spinach, red wine or vitamin C in elderly women, J Nutr source
• Not checked yetcites [33] Paiva, 1998, Postprandial plasma carotenoid responses following consumption of strawberries, red wine, vitamin C or spinach by elderly women, J Nutr source
• Not checked yetcites [34] Marniemi, 2000, Partial resistance of low density lipoprotein to oxidation in vivo after increased intake of berries, Nutr Metab Cardiovasc Dis
• Not checked yetcites [35] Pedersen, 2000, Effects of blueberry and cranberry juice consumption on the plasma antioxidant capacity of healthy female volunteers, Eur J Clin Nutr source
• Not checked yetcites [36] van den Berg, 2001, A vegetable/fruit concentrate with high antioxidant capacity has no effect on biomarkers of antioxidant status in male smokers, J Nutr source
• Not checked yetcites [37] Simeonov, 2002, Effects of Aronia melanocarpa juice as part of the dietary regimen in patients with diabetes mellitus, Folia Med (Plovdiv.)
• Not checked yetcites [38] Kay, 2002, The effect of wild blueberry (Vaccinium angustifolium) consumption on post prandial serum antioxidant status in human subjects, Br J Nutr source
• Not checked yetcites [39] Mazza, 2002, Absorption of anthocyanins from blueberries and serum antioxidant status in human subjects, J Agric Food Chem source
• Not checked yetcites [40] Bub, 2003, Fruit juice consumption modulates antioxidative status, immune status and DNA damage, J Nutr Biochem source
• Not checked yetcites [41] Chambers, 2003, Can cranberry supplementation benefit adults with type 2 diabetes?, Diabetes Care source

In the paper

“The most significant outcomes of these clinical studies show an increase in plasma or urinary antioxidant capacity, a decrease in LDL oxidation and lipid peroxidation, a decrease in plasma glucose or total cholesterol, and an increase in HDL-cholesterol following berry intervention.”

What the sources say

• Not checked yetcites [32] Cao, 1998, Serum antioxidant capacity is increased by consumption of strawberries, spinach, red wine or vitamin C in elderly women, J Nutr source
• Not checked yetcites [33] Paiva, 1998, Postprandial plasma carotenoid responses following consumption of strawberries, red wine, vitamin C or spinach by elderly women, J Nutr source
• Not checked yetcites [34] Marniemi, 2000, Partial resistance of low density lipoprotein to oxidation in vivo after increased intake of berries, Nutr Metab Cardiovasc Dis
• Not checked yetcites [35] Pedersen, 2000, Effects of blueberry and cranberry juice consumption on the plasma antioxidant capacity of healthy female volunteers, Eur J Clin Nutr source
• Not checked yetcites [36] van den Berg, 2001, A vegetable/fruit concentrate with high antioxidant capacity has no effect on biomarkers of antioxidant status in male smokers, J Nutr source
• Not checked yetcites [37] Simeonov, 2002, Effects of Aronia melanocarpa juice as part of the dietary regimen in patients with diabetes mellitus, Folia Med (Plovdiv.)
• Not checked yetcites [38] Kay, 2002, The effect of wild blueberry (Vaccinium angustifolium) consumption on post prandial serum antioxidant status in human subjects, Br J Nutr source
• Not checked yetcites [39] Mazza, 2002, Absorption of anthocyanins from blueberries and serum antioxidant status in human subjects, J Agric Food Chem source
• Not checked yetcites [40] Bub, 2003, Fruit juice consumption modulates antioxidative status, immune status and DNA damage, J Nutr Biochem source
• Not checked yetcites [41] Chambers, 2003, Can cranberry supplementation benefit adults with type 2 diabetes?, Diabetes Care source

In the paper

“Interestingly, none of these clinical studies showed any significant effect of berry intervention on biomarkers of inflammation, with the exception of a significant decrease in adhesion molecules following cranberry juice supplementation in healthy volunteers.”

What the sources say

• Not checked yetcites [46] Ruel, 2008, Low-calorie cranberry juice supplementation reduces plasma oxidized LDL and cell adhesion molecule concentrations in men, Br J Nutr source

In the paper

“Berries were also shown to increase plasma antioxidant capacity36 and to decrease lipid peroxidation42 in smokers who are at high risk of developing CVD.”

What the sources say

• Not checked yetcites [36] van den Berg, 2001, A vegetable/fruit concentrate with high antioxidant capacity has no effect on biomarkers of antioxidant status in male smokers, J Nutr source
• Not checked yetcites [42] McAnulty, 2005, Effect of daily fruit ingestion on angiotensin converting enzyme activity, blood pressure, and oxidative stress in chronic smokers, Free Radic Res source
• Not checked yetcites [55] Suriñach, 2009, Differences in cardiovascular mortality in smokers, past-smokers and non-smokers: findings from the FRENA registry, Eur J Intern Med source

In the paper

“Of 20 trials conducted using different varieties of fresh and processed berry products, only two showed a significant decrease in systolic blood pressure: one was conducted in healthy men following cranberry juice supplementation46 and the other was in subjects with CVD risk factors following mixed berry supplementation.”

What the sources say

• Not checked yetcites [46] Ruel, 2008, Low-calorie cranberry juice supplementation reduces plasma oxidized LDL and cell adhesion molecule concentrations in men, Br J Nutr source
• Not checked yetcites [49] Erlund, 2008, Favorable effects of berry consumption on platelet function, blood pressure, and HDL cholesterol, Am J Clin Nutr source

In the paper

“Mulberry anthocyanins have also exhibited antioxidative and antiatherogenic affects, by inhibiting oxidation of LDL and formation of foamcells, respectively, in an in vitro model of atherosclerosis.”

What the sources say

• Not checked yetcites [62] Liu, 2008, Mulberry anthocyanin extracts inhibit LDL oxidation and macrophage-derived foam cell formation induced by oxidative LDL, J Food Sci source

In the paper

“Of 20 trials reviewed, nine involved measures of post-prandial status, in which berry consumption was shown to significantly decrease postprandial oxidative stress, especially lipid peroxidation.”

What the sources say

• Not checked yetcites [32] Cao, 1998, Serum antioxidant capacity is increased by consumption of strawberries, spinach, red wine or vitamin C in elderly women, J Nutr source
• Not checked yetcites [33] Paiva, 1998, Postprandial plasma carotenoid responses following consumption of strawberries, red wine, vitamin C or spinach by elderly women, J Nutr source
• Not checked yetcites [34] Marniemi, 2000, Partial resistance of low density lipoprotein to oxidation in vivo after increased intake of berries, Nutr Metab Cardiovasc Dis
• Not checked yetcites [35] Pedersen, 2000, Effects of blueberry and cranberry juice consumption on the plasma antioxidant capacity of healthy female volunteers, Eur J Clin Nutr source
• Not checked yetcites [37] Simeonov, 2002, Effects of Aronia melanocarpa juice as part of the dietary regimen in patients with diabetes mellitus, Folia Med (Plovdiv.)
• Not checked yetcites [38] Kay, 2002, The effect of wild blueberry (Vaccinium angustifolium) consumption on post prandial serum antioxidant status in human subjects, Br J Nutr source
• Not checked yetcites [39] Mazza, 2002, Absorption of anthocyanins from blueberries and serum antioxidant status in human subjects, J Agric Food Chem source
• Not checked yetcites [42] McAnulty, 2005, Effect of daily fruit ingestion on angiotensin converting enzyme activity, blood pressure, and oxidative stress in chronic smokers, Free Radic Res source
• Not checked yetcites [48] Jensen, 2008, In vitro and in vivo antioxidant and anti-inflammatory capacities of an antioxidant-rich fruit and berry juice blend. Results of a pilot and randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled, crossover study, J Agric Food Chem source

In the paper

“The study also reported that blackberry anthocyanin extract inhibited inducible iNOS protein expression, thereby decreasing the inflammatory response in macrophages and inhibiting the formation of foam cells.”

What the sources say

• Not checked yetcites [67] Pergola, 2006, Inhibition of nitric oxide biosynthesis by anthocyanin fraction of blackberry extract, Nitric Oxide source

In the paper

“This study also showed the protective effects of blueberries against insulin resistance and hyperglycemia, thus reducing the risk factors for CVD.”

What the sources say

• Not checked yetcites [64] DeFuria, 2009, Dietary blueberry attenuates whole-body insulin resistance in high fat-fed mice by reducing adipocyte death and its inflammatory sequelae, J Nutr source

In the paper

“Xu et al. and Lazze et al. have reported the upregulation of eNOS by cyanidin-3-glucoside in bovine artery endothelial cells, and increased protein levels of eNOS by anthocyanin treatment (cyanidin and delphinidin) in human umbilical vein endothelial cells.”

What the sources say

• Not checked yetcites [68] Xu, 2004, Upregulation of endothelial nitric oxide synthase by cyanidin-3-glucoside, a typical anthocyanin pigment, Hypertension source
• Not checked yetcites [69] Lazzè, 2006, Anthocyanidins decrease endothelin-1 production and increase endothelial nitric oxide synthase in human endothelial cells, Mol Nutr Food Res source

In the paper

“Clinical studies in healthy humans, subjects with diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia, metabolic syndrome, hypertension, or in smokers, show a significant decrease in CVD risk factors, especially glucose, lipids and lipid peroxidation, and systolic blood pressure, following berry intervention.”

What the sources say

• Not checked yetcites [32] Cao, 1998, Serum antioxidant capacity is increased by consumption of strawberries, spinach, red wine or vitamin C in elderly women, J Nutr source
• Not checked yetcites [33] Paiva, 1998, Postprandial plasma carotenoid responses following consumption of strawberries, red wine, vitamin C or spinach by elderly women, J Nutr source
• Not checked yetcites [34] Marniemi, 2000, Partial resistance of low density lipoprotein to oxidation in vivo after increased intake of berries, Nutr Metab Cardiovasc Dis
• Not checked yetcites [35] Pedersen, 2000, Effects of blueberry and cranberry juice consumption on the plasma antioxidant capacity of healthy female volunteers, Eur J Clin Nutr source
• Not checked yetcites [36] van den Berg, 2001, A vegetable/fruit concentrate with high antioxidant capacity has no effect on biomarkers of antioxidant status in male smokers, J Nutr source
• Not checked yetcites [37] Simeonov, 2002, Effects of Aronia melanocarpa juice as part of the dietary regimen in patients with diabetes mellitus, Folia Med (Plovdiv.)
• Not checked yetcites [38] Kay, 2002, The effect of wild blueberry (Vaccinium angustifolium) consumption on post prandial serum antioxidant status in human subjects, Br J Nutr source
• Not checked yetcites [39] Mazza, 2002, Absorption of anthocyanins from blueberries and serum antioxidant status in human subjects, J Agric Food Chem source
• Not checked yetcites [40] Bub, 2003, Fruit juice consumption modulates antioxidative status, immune status and DNA damage, J Nutr Biochem source
• Not checked yetcites [41] Chambers, 2003, Can cranberry supplementation benefit adults with type 2 diabetes?, Diabetes Care source

In the paper

“Underlying mechanisms for these beneficial effects are believed to include upregulation of endothelial nitric oxide synthase, decreased activities of carbohydrate digestive enzymes, decreased oxidative stress, and inhibition of inflammatory gene expression and foam cell formation.”

In the paper

“Consumption of fruits and vegetables has been correlated with decreased risks of cardiovascular disease (CVD).”

What the sources say

• Not checked yetcites [17] Liu, 2000, Fruit and vegetable intake and risk of cardiovascular disease: the Women's Health Study, Am J Clin Nutr source
• Not checked yetcites [18] Joshipura, 2001, The effect of fruit and vegetable intake on risk for coronary heart disease, Ann Intern Med source
• Not checked yetcites [19] Bazzano, 2002, Fruit and vegetable intake and risk of cardiovascular disease in US adults: the first National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey Epidemiologic Follow-up Study, Am J Clin Nutr source
• Not checked yetcites [20] Holt, 2009, Fruit and vegetable consumption and its relation to markers of inflammation and oxidative stress in adolescents, J Am Diet Assoc source

In the paper

“Berries are a good source of polyphenols, especially anthocyanins, micronutrients, and fiber.”

What the sources say

• Not checked yetcites [5] Agricultural Research Services, 2009
• Not checked yetcites [6] Agricultural Research Services, 2007

In the paper

“These observational data suggest a potential anti-inflammatory role of berry flavonoids, which may contribute to overall reduction of CVD risk.”

In the paper

“Elevated CRP has been significantly associated with inflammation and is a high risk factor of CVD.”

What the sources say

• Not checked yetcites [30] Ridker, 2000, C-reactive protein and other markers of inflammation in the prediction of cardiovascular disease in women, N Engl J Med source

In the paper

“Nitric oxide (NO), when formed through activation of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), has proinflammatory effects, leading to increased vascular permeability, induction of inflammatory cytokines, and the formation of peroxynitrite, a strong oxidizing agent.”

What the sources say

• Not checked yetcites [66] Stampler, 1992, Biochemistry of nitric oxide and its redox-activated forms, Science source

In the paper

“Since elevated plasma glucose, lipids, and lipid oxidation have been associated with coronary artery disease (CAD),52,53 these data suggest the potential role of edible berries in ameliorating these risk factors.”

What the sources say

• Not checked yetcites [52] Krentz, 2003, Lipoprotein abnormalities and their consequences for patients with type 2 diabetes, Diabetes Obes Metab source
• Not checked yetcites [53] Gupta, 2009, Correlation of antioxidants with lipid peroxidation and lipid profile in patients suffering from coronary artery disease, Expert Opin Ther Targets source

In the paper

“These studies ranged in duration from 4 to 12 weeks and used conventional berry products or purified anthocyanin extracts, suggesting that both these forms of delivery are effective.”

In the paper

“Thus, on the basis of these data, berry anthocyanins may exert cardioprotective effects by reducing oxidative stress and inflammation through effects on iNOS activity, interfering with carbohydrate digestion and reducing glucose absorption, favorably modulating dyslipidemia, and upregulating eNOS expression so as to maintain normal vascular function and blood pressure.”

In the paper

“Berries are emerging as a dietary source of multiple compounds and nutrients, including anthocyanins, flavonols, vitamins, and fiber, that reduce CVD risk.”

In the paper

“The principal mechanisms of action underlying the potential cardio-protective effects of berries include counteracting free radical generation, attenuating inflammatory gene expression, downregulating foam cell formation, and upregulating eNOS expression; through these effects, progression of atherosclerosis is slowed and normal vascular function and blood pressure are preserved.”