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Wild blueberry (poly)phenols can improve vascular function and cognitive performance in healthy older individuals: a double-blind randomized controlled trial.
Wood, E, Hein, S, Mesnage, R, Fernandes, F, Abhayaratne, N, Xu, Y, Zhang, Z, Bell, L, Williams, C, Rodriguez-Mateos, A
The American journal of clinical nutrition. 2023;117(6):1306-1319
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The risk of developing both cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases increases with aging. Growing evidence from epidemiological and human intervention trials indicates that (poly)phenols may have cardioprotective properties as well as the ability to improve cognitive function. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of daily wild blueberry (WBB) (poly)phenol consumption on vascular function and cognitive performance in healthy older individuals. This study was a randomised, double-blinded, placebo-controlled parallel design study. A total of 61 healthy older individuals were recruited and randomly assigned to one of the two arms; placebo intervention or blueberry intervention group. Results showed that long-term consumption of a dietary achievable amount of WBB enhanced vascular and cognitive function in older adults. Authors conclude that gut microbiota and vascular blood flow may play important roles in mediating the cognitive benefits shown by the consumption of (poly)phenol-rich foods.
Abstract
BACKGROUND Evidence suggests that the intake of blueberry (poly)phenols is associated with improvements in vascular function and cognitive performance. Whether these cognitive effects are linked to increases in cerebral and vascular blood flow or changes in the gut microbiota is currently unknown. METHODS A double-blind, parallel randomized controlled trial was conducted in 61 healthy older individuals aged 65-80 y. Participants received either 26 g of freeze-dried wild blueberry (WBB) powder (302 mg anthocyanins) or a matched placebo (0 mg anthocyanins). Endothelial function measured by flow-mediated dilation (FMD), cognitive function, arterial stiffness, blood pressure (BP), cerebral blood flow (CBF), gut microbiome, and blood parameters were measured at baseline and 12 wk following daily consumption. Plasma and urinary (poly)phenol metabolites were analyzed using microelution solid-phase extraction coupled with liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. RESULTS A significant increase in FMD and reduction in 24 h ambulatory systolic BP were found in the WBB group compared with the placebo group (0.86%; 95% CI: 0.56, 1.17, P < 0.001; -3.59 mmHg; 95% CI: -6.95, -0.23, P = 0.037; respectively). Enhanced immediate recall on the auditory verbal learning task, alongside better accuracy on a task-switch task was also found following WBB treatment compared with placebo (P < 0.05). Total 24 h urinary (poly)phenol excretion increased significantly in the WBB group compared with placebo. No changes in the CBF or gut microbiota composition were found. CONCLUSIONS Daily intake of WBB powder, equivalent to 178 g fresh weight, improves vascular and cognitive function and decreases 24 h ambulatory systolic BP in healthy older individuals. This suggests that WBB (poly)phenols may reduce future CVD risk in an older population and may improve episodic memory processes and executive functioning in older adults at risk for cognitive decline. Clinical Trial Registration number in clinicaltrials.gov: NCT04084457.
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The effects of Aronia berry (poly)phenol supplementation on arterial function and the gut microbiome in middle aged men and women: Results from a randomized controlled trial.
Le Sayec, M, Xu, Y, Laiola, M, Gallego, FA, Katsikioti, D, Durbidge, C, Kivisild, U, Armes, S, Lecomte, M, Fança-Berthon, P, et al
Clinical nutrition (Edinburgh, Scotland). 2022;41(11):2549-2561
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Over the last decades, Aronia melanocarpa, or black chokeberry, has gained increased attention for its high content of (poly)phenols, and potential protection against chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of 12-week aronia berry (poly)phenol consumption on cardiometabolic health and gut microbiome composition in prehypertensive middle-aged adults. This study was a 2-arm, double-blind, parallel randomised controlled trial. Participants (n = 102; 47 men and 55 women) were assigned randomly to Aronia or control groups. Results showed that there were no significant effects in blood pressure (primary outcome), endothelial function or blood lipids. However, there was a significant improvement in 24-hour ambulatory arterial indices and significant changes in gut microbiome richness, functions and composition between Aronia and control groups. Authors conclude that future studies should be conducted to investigate whether aronia supplementation may be effective in other at-risk populations such as hypertensives or people with cardiovascular disease risk.
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Berry (poly)phenol consumption has been associated with cardioprotective benefits, however little is known on the role the gut microbiome may play on such health benefits. Our objective was to investigate the effects of aronia berry (poly)phenol consumption on cardiometabolic health and gut microbiome richness and composition in prehypertensive middle-aged men and women. METHODS A total of 102 prehypertensive participants were included in a parallel 12-week randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial. Volunteers were randomly allocated to daily consume an encapsulated (poly)phenol-rich aronia berry extract (Aronia, n = 51) or a matched maltodextrin placebo (Control, n = 51). Blood pressure (BP) and arterial function (office and 24 h), endothelial function (measured as flow-mediated dilation), serum biochemistry (including blood lipids), plasma and urine (poly)phenol metabolites as well as gut microbiome composition through shotgun metagenomic sequencing were monitored over the study period. Relationships between vascular outcomes, (poly)phenol metabolites and gut microbiome were investigated using an integrated multi-levels approach. RESULTS A significant improvement in arterial indices measured as augmentation index (AIx) and pulse wave velocity (PWV) was found in the Aronia compared to Control group (awake Δ PWV = -0.24 m/s; 95% CI: -0.79, -0.01 m/s, P < 0.05; 24 h peripheral Δ AIx = -6.8; -11.2, -2.3, %, P = 0.003; 24 h central Δ AIx = -3.3; -5.5, -1.0, %, P = 0.006). No changes in BP, endothelial function or blood lipids were found following the intervention. Consumption of aronia (poly)phenols led to a significant increase in gut microbiome gene richness and in the abundance of butyrate-producing species such as Lawsonibacter asaccharolyticus and Intestinimonas butyriciproducens species, compared to Control group. Results from an approach including metabolomic, metagenomic and clinical outcomes highlighted associations between aronia-derived phenolic metabolites, arterial stiffness, and gut microbiome. CONCLUSIONS Aronia berry (poly)phenol consumption improved arterial function in prehypertensive middle-aged individuals, possibly via modulation of gut microbiome richness and composition based on the associations observed between these parameters. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRY The National Institutes of Health (NIH)-randomized trial records held on the NIH ClinicalTrials.gov website (NCT03434574). Aronia Berry Consumption on Blood Pressure.