Compared with the intake of commercial vegetable juice, the intake of fresh fruit and komatsuna (Brassica rapa L. var. perviridis) juice mixture reduces serum cholesterol in middle-aged men: a randomized controlled pilot study

Abstract

BackgroundVegetables and fruits are rich in vitamins, minerals and, dietary fiber and contribute to the prevention and improvement of obesity and metabolic syndrome. However, inadequate intake of vegetable and fruit is a concern in Japan.We therefore produced a juice mixture of fresh fruit and komatsuna (Brassica rapa L. var. perviridis: B. rapa) with the aim to investigate the effects of this juice mixture on anthropometric data, blood parameters, and dietary intake differences.MethodsThis study was performed as a single blind and randomized controlled trial. Subjects were 16 men (mean age, 46.4 ± 7.1 years), and they were divided into two groups (control group and intervention group). The intervention group consumed the juice mixture of fresh fruit and B. rapa. The control group consumed commercial vegetable juice. Subjects consumed juice twice a day throughout the weekday, for 4 weeks. We prepared both juices with an equivalent energy balance.ResultsWeight and body mass index (BMI) of the control group after 4 weeks were significantly increased compared with baseline values. Serum total cholesterol (T-Chol) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-Chol) of the intervention group after 4 weeks were significantly reduced compared with baseline values. Furthermore, intake of total vegetables and fruits were significantly increased compared with baseline values in both groups.ConclusionsBoth vegetable juices contributed to improved intake of total vegetables and fruit. Compared with the intake of commercial vegetable juice, the intake of fresh fruit and B. rapa juice is highly effective in reducing serum cholesterol. Short-term intake of fresh fruit and B. rapa juice was shown to enhance cholesterol metabolism.

Formation of Phosphatidic Acid in Japanese Mustard Spinach (Komatsuna) during the Milling Process

“…The differences in PLD primary structure and isoforms contribute to the different enzymatic properties (Ruelland et al, 2015). The high amount of vegetable fiber in Komatsuna may also be the reason for the different results (Aiso et al, 2014).…”

“…It is a common and popular leafy vegetable in the Japanese diet. Komatsuna contains low energy and high nutrient components that are highly effective in reducing serum cholesterol (Aiso et al, 2014). Moreover, the PL content of Komatsuna is high in the genus Brassica (Tanaka et al, 2012), and the hydrolysis of endogenous PLs such as PC by PLD is suggested to be triggered during grinding, increasing the amount of PA. On the other hand, knowledge of the lipid signaling targets and their physiological consequences in plants is limited (Hou et al, 2016), and the mechanism responsible for the abundant PA observed in mashed foodstuff is unclear.…”

Diet rich in high glucoraphanin broccoli reduces plasma LDL cholesterol: Evidence from randomised controlled trials

“…Several previous human intervention studies with broccoli sprouts, Brassica extracts or mixed vegetable interventions that include crucifers have reported a reduction in LDL‐C . Furthermore, transfer of sheep from grazing grass to Brassica forage results in a reduction in plasma cholesterol .…”

“…Human intervention studies have provided evidence that diets rich in cruciferous vegetables may modify plasma lipid and cholesterol profiles . At a population level, a 1% reduction in LDL‐cholesterol (LDL‐C) has been associated with a 1–2% reduction in risk of coronary artery disease .…”

Effects and Mechanisms of Fruit and Vegetable Juices on Cardiovascular Diseases

“…In another study, the effects of a juice mixture of komatsuna and fresh fruit on serum cholesterol were investigated, and the results showed that serum TC and LDL-C were significantly reduced [69]. In addition, the effects of the fiber in fruits and vegetables in the diet were determined by Kelsay et al [70].…”