Anthocyanins in berries exhibited antiatherogenicity and antiplatelet activities in a metabolic syndrome population

Synopsis: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a global challenge for atherosclerosis. It was hypothesized that a four-week consumption of anthocyanin supplements by MetS patients who had three or more risk factors linked with metabolic syndrome would observe a greater improvement in cardiometabolic biomarkers and reduce the risk of thrombosis with anthocyanin intake.

Fifty-five adults, aged 25-27 were recruited for the study and classed as healthy or with metabolic syndrome. They supplemented for four weeks with 640mg per day of anthocyanins. The findings showed:

• Anthocyanin lowered average serum fasting blood glucose levels 13%
• 25% reductions in triglyceride in the MetS group
• LDL-cholesterol reduced 33% in MetS group
• Total cholesterol reduced 14%

Women also experienced an average reduction of 28% in the inflammatory marker C-reactive protein.

The study indicated that four weeks of anthocyanin intervention had favourable effects on cardiometabolic risk factors. As a preventative approach, berry-rich anthocyanins may inhibit the progression of atherosclerosis in the MetS population.

Nutrition Research https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nutres.2020.02.011