Background: Andean berry (Vaccinium meridionale Swartz) is a native Colombian berry with potential health benefit comparable to cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon), both rich in phenolic compounds with a wide range of biological activities. Objectives: to evaluate the effect of Andean berry consumption on blood biochemical parameters (lipid profile and glucose), anthropometric parameters (body weight, waist circumference, body mass index or BMI) and blood pressure of overweight adults. Methods: glycemia, total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol and total triglycerides in blood serum, body weight, size and waist perimeter, and blood pressure were analyzed in 25 overweight adults at day 1 and 21 after consumption of 35 g/day of osmodehydrated Andean berry. Results: a significant reduction in diastolic blood pressure (10%, p = 0.0388), systolic blood pressure (6%, p = 0.0400), BMI (1.7%, p = 0.0306), weight (2%, p = 0.0388) and waist circumference (4.1%, p = 0.0052) were observed in the participants who completed the study. However, the lipid profile did not have a significant effect, the glycemia increased significantly (6.9%, p = 0.0004). Conclusions: the results of the present study suggest that the regular consumption of Andean berry treated by osmotic dehydration is a food that may help control weight and blood pressure; however, it requires another type of osmotic agent to prevent the increase of glycemia.

En primer lugar, a la Universidad Nacional de Colombia, por ser una magnifica institución de educación superior; permitiéndome formarme en áreas de la agricultura, el desarrollo rural y la docencia; a la Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias, mi segundo hogar, dónde me he formado profesionalmente; al CIER, por el apoyo económico para la fase de campo del presente trabajo.Al profesor Yesid Aranda por su dedicación y tiempo empleado en cada asesoría, de quién aprendí acerca de la constancia y la honestidad; así como, al profesor Gustavo Ligarreto, por su disponibilidad e interés en el trabajo. Asimismo, agradezco a la planta profesoral del Departamento de Desarrollo Rural, quienes mediante sus enseñanzas lograron orientarme en mi vida profesional.Un agradecimiento profundo, a los actores territoriales; donde destacan los campesinos, quienes compartieron sus saberes y experiencias de vida para el presente trabajo, así como, a los comercializadores y empresas transformadoras en el territorio.A las instituciones que hacen presencia en el territorio, donde destacan:

Reactive oxygen species are responsible for causing different types of damage in the body which are associated with the onset of chronic non-communicable diseases. A strategy to counteract these effects is by a diet rich in antioxidants compounds found in fruits. The aim of this study was to determine the antioxidant capacity in plasma and the content of total phenolic compounds in healthy women who consumed a drink prepared with Nativanox® Colombian tropical fruits or a drink prepared with Nativanox® Colombian yellow fruits during a short period of time. Nineteen healthy women received a daily 200 mL drink with Nativanox® Colombian tropical fruits or a drink with Nativanox® Colombian yellow fruits for 14 days. Before and after the intervention period blood and plasma were obtained to analyze C-reactive protein levels, lipid profile, total phenolic content and antioxidant status through FRAP, ABTS and EROS methods. Regular consumption of a drink with Nativanox® Colombian tropical fruits had a positive impact on the lipid profile and the antioxidant capacity on plasma of healthy women. The consumption of a drink with Nativanox® Colombian yellow fruits diminished diastolic blood pressure. These results showed that a Nativanox® Colombian yellow and tropical fruit contains bioactive compounds that can improve oxidative status in plasma and contribute to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.