Background/Objectives: Dietary habits have a major role in obesity, type 2 diabetes and atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases. In this study, we compared the effects of sea buckthorn (SB) and its fractions, and bilberries (BBs) on associated variables of metabolic diseases on overweight and obese women. Subjects/Methods: In total, 110 female volunteers were recruited, and they followed four different berry diets (BB, SB, SB phenolic extract (SBe) and SB oil (SBo)) in a randomized order for 33-35 days. Each intervention was followed by a wash-out period of 30-39 days. Blood samples were drawn and physical measurements were performed after each period. Eighty volunteers completed the study. Results: There was statistically significant decrease in waist circumference after BB (D, À1.2 cm; P ¼ 0.041) and SB (D, À1.1 cm; P ¼ 0.008) periods and also a small decrease in weight after BB diet (D, À0.2 kg; P ¼ 0.028). Vascular cell adhesion molecule decreased after BB (D, À49.8 ng/ml; P ¼ 0.002) and SBo (D, À66.1 ng/ml; P ¼ 0.001) periods, and in intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM) after SBe diet (D, À6.1 ng/ml; P ¼ 0.028). Conclusions: Based on the results, it can be stated that different berries and berry fractions have various but slightly positive effects on the associated variables of metabolic diseases.

Background/Objectives: Repeated postprandial hyperglycemia and subsequent mild, late hypoglycemia as well as high postprandial insulin response lead to metabolic events that may eventually develop into type 2 diabetes. The aim of this study was to assess how sea buckthorn berries as well as two sea buckthorn extraction residues modulate the postprandial metabolism after a high-glucose meal. Subjects/Methods: Ten healthy normal-weight male volunteers consumed four study breakfasts, one control (A) and three sea buckthorn meals on four distinct study days. All the meals contained yoghurt and glucose (50 g). The sea buckthorn ingredients used were dried and crushed whole berries (meal B1), supercritical fluid (SF)-carbon dioxide (CO 2 )-extracted oil-free berries (meal B2) or ethanol-extracted SF-CO 2 -extraction residue (meal B3). Blood samples for glucose, insulin and tumor necrosis factor-a analyses were collected before and during the 6-h study period. Results: Meal B1 suppressed the postprandial peak insulin response when compared with meal A (Dconcentration of 30-min peak value À21.8 mU/l, P ¼ 0.039), and stabilized postprandial hyperglycemia and subsequent hypoglycemia (Dconcentration of 30-min peak value-120-min value À30.4 mU/l, P ¼ 0.036). Furthermore, meal B2 resulted in a more stable insulin response than the control meal (Dconcentration of 30-min peak value-120-min value À25.9 mU/l, P ¼ 0.037). Conclusions: Removal of the CO 2 -soluble oil component from the berries did not show a significant change in the studied postprandial effects of the berries. The EtOH soluble components, again showed advantageous properties in both insulin and glucose responses.