Dietary intake of anthocyanins improves arterial stiffness, but not endothelial function, in volunteers with excess weight: A randomized clinical trial.

Excess body weight has been associated with endothelial dysfunction and increased arterial stiffness. Foods rich in polyphenols and anthocyanins such as açaí-juçara (Euterpe edulis Martius) fruit may have protective vascular effects. Thus, we examined the effect of dietary intake of anthocyanins (açaí-juçara fruit) on endothelial function (flow-mediated dilation [FMD]) and arterial stiffness (pulse wave velocity [PWV]) in individuals with excess body weight. Fifty-five individuals with BMI ≥25 kg/m2 were randomized into non-anthocyanin (N-ATH, n = 25) or anthocyanin (ATH, n = 30) intake groups. A 12-week individualized diet plan (20% reduction in total energy intake) was prescribed and included daily intake of açaí-juçara 200 g (anthocyanins 293.6 mg) in the ATH diet plan. We evaluated anthropometric and biochemical parameters, FMD, PWV, and peripheral vascular resistance (PVR). A GEE (Bonferroni post-hoc) was used (p ≤ 0.05). No change in FMD was observed. However, PWV showed a reduction from baseline in the ATH (p = 0.002) and vs. N-ATH (p = 0.036). Both groups showed reduced peripheral vascular resistance (N-ATH, p = 0.005; ATH, p = 0.040) with no significant differences between them. In conclusion, dietary intake of anthocyanins proved effective in protecting against arterial stiffness (by PWV) in individuals with excess weight. PVR was reduced in both diet groups regardless of dietary intake of anthocyanins.

Effects of Cocoa Consumption on Cardiometabolic Risk Markers: Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

BACKGROUND: We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to examine the effect of dietary intake of cocoa on anthropometric measurements, lipid and glycemic profiles, and blood pressure levels in adults, with and without comorbidities. METHODS: The databases used were MEDLINE (PubMed), EMBASE, Web of Science, Cochrane, LILACS, and SciELO. The eligible studies were randomized clinical trials (RCTs) involving adults undergoing cocoa consumption (cocoa extract or ≥70% cocoa dark chocolate) for ≥4 weeks that evaluated at least one of the following markers: body weight, body mass index (BMI), waist/abdominal circumference, total cholesterol, LDL-c, triglycerides, HDL-c, blood glucose, glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), and systolic and diastolic blood pressure (SBP/DBP). RESULTS: Thirty-one studies were included, totaling 1986 participants. Cocoa consumption showed no effects on body weight, BMI, waist circumference, triglycerides, HDL-c and HbA1c. Yet, there was a reduction in total cholesterol (-8.35 mg/dL, 95% CI -14.01; -2.69 mg/dL), LDL-c (-9.47 mg/dL, 95% CI -13.75; -5.20 mg/dL), fasting blood glucose (-4.91 mg/dL, 95% CI -8.29; -1.52 mg/dL), SBP (-2.52 mmHg, 95% CI -4.17; -0.88 mmHg), and DBP (-1.58 mmHg, 95% CI -2.54; -0.62 mmHg). CONCLUSIONS: The consumption of cocoa showed protective effects on major cardiometabolic risk markers that have a clinical impact in terms of cardiovascular risk reduction.