Anthocyanin-rich Blackcurrant and Vascular Function

University of Reading

Status: Completed

Conditions: Inflammation; Vascular Stiffness

Treatments: Other: Beverage: Placebo (sucrose, glucose, fructose, maltodextrin, malic acid, citric acid, vitamin C, artificial blackcurrant flavouring and low-nitrate water); Other: Beverage: Spray dried blackcurrant powder dissolved in water

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other; Industry

Identifiers

NCT02459756

UREC 14/17

Details and patient eligibility

About

Regular consumption of fruits and vegetables may improve human health and reduce the risk of chronic diseases, such as heart disease, certain cancers and type 2 diabetes, but the active components and the underlying mechanisms are poorly understood. Berry fruits are abundant in anthocyanins and this study aims to test the hypothesis that ingestion of an anthocyanin-rich blackcurrant beverage will improve markers of cardiovascular health (health of blood vessels, inflammation and platelet function). Further, the study will investigate the anthocyanin bioavailability from the blackcurrant beverage.

Enrollment: 23 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 30 to 55 years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Aged 30-55 years
• Non-smoker
• BMI between 20 - 30 kg/m2
• Generally healthy as established by a 'health and lifestyle' questionnaire and a screening blood sample
• Blood pressure < 140/90mmHg
• Total cholesterol < 6.2 mmol/L
• Fasting glucose < 7.0 mmol/L

Exclusion criteria

• Diabetes mellitus
• Heart problems, stroke, vascular disease
• Inflammatory disease
• Kidney, liver, pancreas or gastrointestinal diseases
• Medication for hyperlipidaemia, hypertension, hypercoagulation, inflammatory conditions
• Asthma
• Allergies
• Smokers (social smokers who agree to abstain for 1 month before and during the study not excluded)
• Taking phytochemical, antioxidant or fish oil supplements (unless willing to stop for the study period)
• Taking aspirin > 2 times per month and unwilling to abstain from aspirin ingestion for 14 days prior each study visit
• History of alcohol misuse
• Consumption of alcohol >21 units (men) or >15 units (women)
• Vegans
• Intense aerobic exercise >20 min 3 x per week
• Participation in another clinical trial
• Antibiotics in previous 3 months before study
• Low haemoglobin levels
• Females who are pregnant, lactating, or if of reproductive age and not using a reliable form of contraception (including abstinence)

Trial design

23 participants in 2 patient groups, including a placebo group

Intervention

Active Comparator group

Description:

Spray dried blackcurrant powder dissolved in water

Treatment:

Other: Beverage: Spray dried blackcurrant powder dissolved in water

Placebo

Placebo Comparator group

Description:

(sucrose, glucose, fructose, maltodextrin, malic acid, citric acid, vitamin C, artificial blackcurrant flavouring and low-nitrate water)

Treatment:

Other: Beverage: Placebo (sucrose, glucose, fructose, maltodextrin, malic acid, citric acid, vitamin C, artificial blackcurrant flavouring and low-nitrate water)