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Influence of Tart Cherry Juice Intervention on Vascular Function

Not Applicable
Completed
Conditions
Dietary Exposure
Metabolic Disturbance
Interventions
Dietary Supplement: Placebo
Dietary Supplement: Cherry juice
Registration Number
NCT04840160
Lead Sponsor
Northumbria University
Brief Summary

Diets containing fruit rich in anthocyanins have been shown (in meta-analyses) to be beneficial for health, but intervention trials have shown inconsistent results. In this preliminary study we want to investigate the influence of a tart-cherry juice intervention on vascular function and explore metabolite profiles that may offer insight into their mechanism of action

Detailed Description

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the primary cause of morbidity and mortality. Tart cherries (TC) can positively impact major risk factors of CVD, activities thought to be related to their phytochemical content. However, data from human trials is less clear. TC have been shown to reduce systolic blood pressure (SBP) after acute, short-term and chronic intake, and to improve vascular dysfunction, presumably due to their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. Other studies have not shown benefits of TC on SBP or vascular function and studies are difficult to interpret with different populations, dosing and durations being used as well as a lack of understanding for any underlying mechanisms. To account for the latter, the use of metabolomics has become increasingly popular in nutritional research. Therefore, the aim of this preliminary study was to characterise the effects of TC supplementation on vascular function with a 4-week intervention and explore if metabolomics can provide mechanistic evidence and this will inform for future chronic studies with TC juice.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
23
Inclusion Criteria
  • aged 19-40
  • no diagnosed issues with the ability to consume fruit juice
  • no known food intolerances to fruits
Exclusion Criteria
  • participants that are cigarette smokers
  • participants diagnosed with hypertension
  • participants diagnosed with any form of cardiometabolic diseases
  • participants that require any prescribed prescriptions excluding the contraceptive pill
  • participants that are regular consumers of cherries (>100 g/d)
  • participants that consume any antioxidant supplements

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
PlaceboPlaceboParticipants supplied with 30 ml of a low fruit (\<1%) cordial mixed with maltodextrin and protein diluted in 100 ml water twice daily, once in the morning and evening.
Cherry juiceCherry juiceParticipants supplied with 30 ml of a tart cherry juice concentrate (CherryActive, United Kingdom; (containing 36.8 mg of anthocyanins) diluted in 100 ml of water twice daily, once in the morning and evening.
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Systolic and diastolic blood pressureChange in blood pressure following 4 weeks intervention

Measurement of systolic and diastolic blood pressure before and after the intervention

Arterial pulse wave velocityChange in pulse wave velocity following 4 weeks intervention

Measurement of pulse wave velocity before and after the intervention

Digital volume pulseChange in digital volume pulse following 4 weeks intervention

Measurement of digital volume pulse before and after the intervention

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
MetabolomicsChanges to urinary metabolite profiles following 4 weeks intervention

Ion intensities of ca 5000 metabolites in urine samples before and after the intervention

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Northumberland Building

🇬🇧

Newcastle Upon Tyne, United Kingdom

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