Berry anthocyanin intake and cardiovascular health

Abstract

Over half of all cardiovascular (CV) events could be prevented by improved diet. This is reflected in government targets for fruit/vegetable intake, yet these are variable across the world (UK: 5-a-day; USA: 9-a-day), do not identify specific fruits/vegetables, and prove hard to achieve. Mounting evidence from prospective studies, supported by recent randomised controlled trials suggest that the benefits of fruits/vegetables may be due to bioactive substances called flavonoids. Specifically one sub-class of flavonoids, the anthocyanins, responsible for the red/blue hue, are receiving growing attention. Although promising data is emerging from cohort studies, and cell/animal studies, proof of efficacy from longer-term randomised controlled trials, and an understanding of the importance of differential metabolism in relation to clinical efficacy are distinctly lacking. Diet related ill-health are among the leading priorities of our time and simple dietary change, including incorporating a few portions of anthocyanin-rich fruit into our diet could have a significant impact at a public health level.

Meta-Analysis of the Effects of Foods and Derived Products Containing Ellagitannins and Anthocyanins on Cardiometabolic Biomarkers: Analysis of Factors Influencing Variability of the Individual Responses

“…In particular, berries, red grapes and red wine are important sources of ANCs [6,7]. The main ANCs present in our diet are cyanidin, delphinidin, malvidin, pelargonidin, peonidin, and petunidin [8,9]. Cyanidin-3-glucoside is the most frequent ANC found in raspberries, blackberries, elderberries, purple corn or black carrots.…”

Coupling osmotic dehydration with heat treatment for green papaya impregnated with blackberry juice solution

“…These natural red pigments are water soluble and can offer an alternative to synthetic dyes (Cisse et al , ; Yin et al , ; Carvalho et al , ). Anthocyanins also present potential health benefits (Cassidy, ; Ballard & Maróstica, ) and high antioxidant activity, compared with other fruits (Fan‐Chiang & Wrolstad, ).…”

Effect of fertilization and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal inoculation on antioxidant profiles and activities in Fragaria ananassa fruit

“…Protective effects of anthocyanins against neurological disorders such as Alzheimer's disease have been reported . Antidiabetic properties have also been described, being attributed mainly to the antioxidant action of anthocyanins, and improvement of cardiovascular health has been related to their consumption . In particular, for strawberry fruits, anti‐inflammatory effects have been reported to be associated with the presence of pelargonidin‐3‐glucoside and cyanidin‐3‐glucoside …”

“…7,8 Antidiabetic properties have also been described, being attributed mainly to the antioxidant action of anthocyanins, 9 and improvement of cardiovascular health has been related to their consumption. 8,10,11 In particular, for strawberry fruits, anti-inflammatory effects have been reported to be associated with the presence of pelargonidin-3-glucoside and cyanidin-3-glucoside. 6,12 Metabolic changes in secondary metabolites of F. ananassa have been reported, showing differences between fruits obtained from either organic or conventional agricultural management.…”