Anthocyanins are of interest due to their anti-oxidative and vasodilatory properties. Earlier reviews have shown that berries and other anthocyanin rich foods or extracts can improve vascular health, however the effect of anthocyanins on vascular function has not yet been reviewed. To address this gap in the literature, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised-controlled trials examining anthocyanin-rich foods or extracts on measures of vascular reactivity and/or stiffness in adults. Data from 24 studies were pooled as standardized mean difference (SMD) with 95% confidence intervals (CI). Anthocyanin consumption significantly improved flow-mediated dilation (FMD) following acute (SMD: 3.92%, 95% CI: 1.47, 6.38, p = 0.002; I2 = 91.8%) and chronic supplementation (SMD: 0.84%, 95% CI: 0.55, 1.12, p = 0.000; I2 = 62.5%). Pulse wave velocity was improved following acute supplementation only (SMD: −1.27 m/s, 95% CI: −1.96, −0.58, p = 0.000; I2 = 17.8%). These results support the findings of previous reviews that anthocyanin rich foods or extracts may indeed improve vascular health, particularly with respect to vascular reactivity measured by FMD. More research is required to determine the optimal dosage, and the long-term effects of consumption.

Introduction Several established and emerging sonographic measurements of vascular health are used in clinical practice and research. The aim of this study was to compare inter‐rater and intra‐rater reliability of baseline, post‐cuff‐release and percentage change of brachial artery flow‐mediated dilation (FMD); flow velocity; resistive index (RI); and pulsatility index (PI). Methods Healthy, older (45–70 years), overweight (body mass index 27–32 kg/m2) adults were sonographically assessed for arterial diameter, flow velocity and Doppler indices before and after transient ischaemia. Repeat scans were performed by either one rater (n = 10) or two different raters (n = 6) to assess reliability with intra‐class correlation coefficients (ICCs). Results Intra‐class correlation coefficients for intra‐rater reliability were highest for baseline diameter (0.97) and post‐cuff‐release diameter (0.96) but lowest for FMD (0.04). For inter‐rater reliability, ICC for baseline diameter was high (0.93). ICCs for intra‐rater and inter‐rater reliability for percentage change in velocity, percentage change in RI and percentage change in PI were similar. Conclusion Resistive index and PI showed better post‐occlusion reliability than the more common measures of FMD or peak velocity and warrants further investigation.

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