Berries: emerging impact on cardiovascular health

Abstract

Berries are a good source of polyphenols, especially anthocyanins, micronutrients, and fiber. In epidemiological and clinical studies, these constituents have been associated with improved cardiovascular risk profiles. Human intervention studies using chokeberries, cranberries, blueberries, and strawberries (either fresh, or as juice, or freeze-dried), or purified anthocyanin extracts have demonstrated significant improvements in LDL oxidation, lipid peroxidation, total plasma antioxidant capacity, dyslipidemia, and glucose metabolism. Benefits were seen in healthy subjects and in those with existing metabolic risk factors. Underlying mechanisms for these beneficial effects are believed to include upregulation of endothelial nitric oxide synthase, decreased activities of carbohydrate digestive enzymes, decreased oxidative stress, and inhibition of inflammatory gene expression and foam cell formation. Though limited, these data support the recommendation of berries as an essential fruit group in a heart-healthy diet.

A diet high in fatty fish, bilberries and wholegrain products improves markers of endothelial function and inflammation in individuals with impaired glucose metabolism in a randomised controlled trial: The Sysdimet study

“…Bilberries (from the Vaccinium family), for example, are particularly abundant in polyphenols, and anthocyanins account for most of the bilberry total polyphenol content f Five participants whose measurements of vWF (Healthy Diet n=2, WGED n=1, control n=2) were non-detectable (above the maximum analytical range) were excluded from the analyses g One participant whose measurements of CCL5 (control n=1) was non-detectable (above the maximum analytical range) was excluded from the analyses h One participant whose measurements of sICAM-1 in the WGED group were too low at baseline and week 12 (<0.1 μg/l) was excluded from the analyses ADMA, asymmetric dimethylarginine; CCL5, chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 5; IL-1RA, IL-1 receptor antagonist; MIF-1, macrophage migration inhibitory factor; sICAM-1, soluble intercellular cellular adhesion molecule-1; vWF, von Willebrand factor [30]. Bilberry anthocyanins have been shown to exert a wide range of biological effects, including antioxidant and vasodilatory actions [17]. Moreover, these anthocyanins and other phenolic compounds also found in bilberries may provide substantial antioxidant protection [31], which could benefit endothelial function and decrease CVD risk [17,32].…”

“…The intake of fish has been linked to the prevention of chronic diseases involving inflammatory processes [15] and to a beneficial effect on risk factors for CVD, including circulating levels of inflammatory markers [16]. Experimental studies support a role for phenolic compounds, present in bilberries, in the prevention of inflammatory diseases including CVD [17].…”

Dietary composition and nutrient content of the New Nordic Diet

“…Studies have shown that with an increasing intake of fruits or vegetables there is a proportional decrease in the risk of CVD (15,16) , overweight and obesity (17) and probably of certain cancers (18,19) . Fruit and vegetables therefore play an important role in the NND and the targeted intake was set to 700 g/d (Table 1).…”

Antibacterial and antioxidant activities of bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus L.) in vitro

“…Previous studies demonstrated that plants with high content of anthocyanins, had significant antibacterial effect (Hearst et al, 2010). In vitro studies indicate that anthocyanins and other polyphenols in berries could be substantial in the treatment of heart disease (Basu et al, 2010;Routray and Orsat, 2011), including antioxidant (Denev et al, 2010) and antiadhesion activity against bacteria (Huttunen et al, 2011). Compounds such as quercetin and phenolic acids could play an important role in the possible health effects of berries (Paredes-López et al, 2010).…”