Beneficial Effects of Polyphenol-Rich Chokeberry Juice Consumption on Blood Pressure Level and Lipid Status in Hypertensive Subjects

Abstract

Epidemiological studies have shown a positive association between intake of foods rich in antioxidants and lower incidence of cardiovascular disease development. Polyphenols are considered the most abundant and important dietary antioxidants. The aim of this study was to evaluate effects of polyphenol-rich chokeberry juice consumption on 24-h ambulatory monitored blood pressure (BP) level in subjects with no pharmacologically treated high normal BP or grade I hypertension. Twenty-three subjects (12 men and 11 women) aged 33-67 were enrolled and instructed to consume 200 mL of juice daily for 4 weeks. Participants were divided in two groups, based on prevalence of sympathetic or parasympathetic activity. Measurements of biochemical parameters and heart rate variability analysis were also applied. At the end of the intervention period, average 24-h and awake systolic and diastolic BP were significantly decreased (P<.05). This was more pronounced in the group with prevalence of sympathetic activity. Significant reduction in triglyceride level (P<.05) and a reducing effect on total and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol were also found. Obtained results indicate a positive impact of regular chokeberry juice consumption on BP and lipid status in pharmacologically untreated hypertensive subjects.

Design, formulation and sensory evaluation of a polyphenol-rich food placebo: an example of aronia juice for food intervention studies

“…The beverage size in our pilot study was chosen in accordance with the amount of aronia juice (100 ml) to be consumed in mentioned clinical trial testing platelet function. This was rationalised by the amount of total polyphenols, as active compounds of interest and in accordance with amounts that have been shown as effective in our previous research (Kardum et al 2014a(Kardum et al , 2014b(Kardum et al , 2015.…”

“…In accordance with the duration of intervention phases in this clinical trial, we have chosen 4-week intervention period for our pilot study. In addition, our previous research indicated that 4-week interventions with Aronia juice could express beneficial effects on blood pressure, blood lipids, including fatty acid status, and pro-oxidant/antioxidant status (Kardum et al 2014a(Kardum et al , 2015. The beverage size in our pilot study was chosen in accordance with the amount of aronia juice (100 ml) to be consumed in mentioned clinical trial testing platelet function.…”

“…Among various plant foods, aronia (Aronia melanocarpa) has been of special interest since its fruits have been indicated as a rich source of polyphenols. Polyphenols from aronia fruits, mainly anthocyanins and procyanidins, represent one of the most potent natural antioxidants, exerting the positive impact on overall health, but also on diseases and states associated with marked level of oxidative stress, such as cardiovascular diseases (CVD) and metabolic disorders (Chrubasik et al 2010;Sikora et al 2014;Kardum et al 2015). Although beneficial effects of aronia polyphenols on CVD risk factors such as hypertension, elevated blood lipids and glucose, platelet hyperactivity and obesity have been demonstrated, controlled clinical trials on aronia juice are still lacking, partly due to the difficulties in delivering suitable control drink.…”

Effect of Aronia melanocarpa (Black Chokeberry) supplementation on the development of obesity in mice fed a high-fat diet

“…This is in contrast to previous studies from our lab, which found that purified berry (blueberry and strawberry) anthocyanins supplemented in the drinking water, but not whole berries, decreased serum cholesterol and triglyceride level [26]. In addition, hypertensive adults who were fed chokeberry juice daily for four weeks showed significant reductions in triglyceride levels, total and LDL cholesterol and systolic and diastolic blood pressure [15]. Similar effects were observed in patients with metabolic syndrome who were supplemented with chokeberry juice for two months [16].…”

“…A recent study by Qin and Anderson [11] demonstrated that chokeberry extract prevented weight gain and decreased risk factors associated with insulin resistance in rats fed a fructose-rich diet through modulation of multiple pathways associated with insulin signaling, adipogenesis and inflammation [11]. In addition, supplementation with chokeberry juice reduced blood pressure and improved lipid status in both hypertensive individuals [15] and individuals with metabolic syndrome [16].…”