Anthocyanin Intake and Physical Activity: Associations with the Lipid Profile of a US Working Population

Abstract

While growing evidence exists on the independent associations between anthocyanins and physical activity on cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk determinants, the possible interaction between these exposures has not yet been studied. We aimed to study the potential synergism between anthocyanin intake and physical activity on lipid profile measures. This cross-sectional study was conducted among 249 US career firefighters participating in the Feeding America’s Bravest trial. Anthocyanin intake was calculated using a validated food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) and physical activity level by a validated questionnaire. Multivariable linear regression models determined the extent to which anthocyanin intake and physical activity predicted lipid parameters. Generalized linear models were used for joint effect and interaction analyses on the multiplicative and additive scales. Both anthocyanins and physical activity were independently inversely associated with total cholesterol:high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol. Only physical activity was inversely associated with triglycerides, low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol:HDL, and triglycerides (TG):HDL. Although the combined exposure of low anthocyanin intake and low physical activity was associated with lower (RR = 2.83; 95% CI: 1.42 to 5.67) HDL cholesterol <40 mg/dL, neither multiplicative (p = 0.72) nor additive interactions were detected (relative excess risk due to interaction (RERI): 0.02; 95% CI: −1.63 to 1.66; p = 0.98). Our findings provide insight on the potential synergism between anthocyanin intake and physical activity on the lipid profile.

Association of the Modified Mediterranean Diet Score (mMDS) with Anthropometric and Biochemical Indices in US Career Firefighters

“…BMI was recorded for all study subjects in kg/m 2 from measured height and weight. Body fat (%) was estimated by a Bioelectrical Impedance Analyzer (BIA) [40,45].…”

Editorial for Special Issue: Anthocyanin

“…Finally, it is also shown that anthocyanins have vasorelaxant, antihypertensive, antihemolytic activities and attenuate platelet aggregation [1]. The inverse relationship between anthocyanins intake and the total cholesterol:high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels was also observed in the cross-sectional study carried out by Hershey et al [4] and published in this issue. Furthermore, the joint effect of a low anthocyanin intake and low physical exercise more than doubled the relative risk of having HDL cholesterol<40 mg/dL, compared to high anthocyanins/high activity joint exposure, although the results lack statistical significance [4].…”

Dietary Behavior and Diet Interventions among Structural Firefighters: A Narrative Review

“…Research has suggested that greater adherence to the Mediterranean diet has substantial inverse correlation with risks for heart disease and diabetes, LDL cholesterol, and weight gain, and is associated with higher HDL cholesterol [ 20 , 25 , 49 ]. A recent study found that high intakes of anthocyanins (polyphenols found in red, blue, and purple foods) increase HDL cholesterol, suggesting that it may have cardioprotective effects [ 28 ]. While this study lost statistical significance in its multivariable models, it does provide significant implications for future studies.…”

“…While this study lost statistical significance in its multivariable models, it does provide significant implications for future studies. Based on their results, Hershey et al [ 28 ] also indicate that the Mediterranean diet, which is rich in polyphenols, can increase anthocyanin intake.…”