Effect of Strawberries on Cardiovascular Disease Risk

The Pennsylvania State University (PENNSTATE)

Status: Completed

Conditions: Cardiovascular Disease

Treatments: Dietary Supplement: Control Meal; Dietary Supplement: Strawberry Meal

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT01989637

PKE STR

Details and patient eligibility

About

It is important to identify and evaluate foods, such as strawberries, that can improve established and emerging cardiovascular risk factors, such as postprandial lipid and glycemic responses, and vascular health. Postprandial derangements may affect multiple metabolic pathways that lead to increased arterial stiffness. Research has demonstrated the potential of strawberries to ameliorate postprandial responses to a high fat/high glucose meal. Further research is needed to demonstrate this effect in better controlled clinical studies and explore whether metabolic effects lead to improved arterial health.

The investigators propose to examine the effects of adding 40 g of freeze-dried strawberry powder to a high fat/high glucose meal on postprandial cardiovascular risk factor including lipids, insulin, glucose, and arterial stiffness and central blood pressure. The investigators hypothesize that the bioactive components of strawberry powder will attenuate postprandial lipemic and glycemic responses, as well as improve measures of arterial health.

Enrollment: 34 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 20 to 50 years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• 20-50 years of age
• LDL-C below 160 mg/dL
• Triglycerides below 350 mg/dL
• No stage II hypertension (BP below 160/100 mmHg)
• Not taking medication for elevated lipids, blood pressure, or glucose

Exclusion criteria

• Allergies to strawberries
• Known intolerance to high fat meals
• History of cardiovascular disease, kidney disease, diabetes or inflammatory diseases such as GI disorders and arthritis
• Use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory or immunosuppressant drugs
• Conditions requiring the use of steroids
• Use of medication or supplements for elevated lipids, blood pressure or glucose

Trial design

Primary purpose: Other

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Crossover Assignment

Masking: Double Blind

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34 participants in 2 patient groups, including a placebo group

Strawberry Meal

Experimental group

Description:

40 g freeze-dried strawberries included in test meal

Treatment:

Dietary Supplement: Strawberry Meal

Control Meal

Placebo Comparator group

Description:

Control consisting of matched test meal with strawberry flavoring instead of freeze-dried strawberry powder

Treatment:

Dietary Supplement: Control Meal