Effects of Tart Cherry Juice on Biomarkers of Inflammation and Oxidative Stress in Older Adults

Abstract

Inflammation and oxidative stress are important factors in the development of cardiovascular disease and atherosclerosis. The findings of our previous study suggest that 12 weeks consumption of tart cherry juice lowers the levels of systolic blood pressure (BP) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol in older adults. The present study investigated the effects of tart cherry juice on blood biomarkers of inflammation and oxidative stress. In this randomized-controlled clinical trial, a total of 37 men and women between the ages of 65–80 were randomly assigned to consume 480 mL of tart cherry juice or control drink daily for 12 weeks. Several blood biomarkers of inflammation and oxidative stress were assessed at baseline and after 12 weeks intervention. After the 12 weeks intervention, tart cherry juice significantly increased the plasma levels of DNA repair activity of 8-oxoguanine glycosylase (p < 0.0001) and lowered (p = 0.03) the mean c-reactive protein (CRP) level compared to the control group. There was a significant group effect observed for plasma CRP (p = 0.03) and malondialdehyde (MDA) (p = 0.03), and a borderline significant group effect observed for plasma oxidized low-density lipoprotein (OxLDL) (p = 0.07). Within group analysis showed that the plasma levels of CRP, MDA, and OxLDL decreased numerically by 25%, 3%, and 11%, respectively after 12 weeks of tart cherry juice consumption compared with corresponding baseline values. The present study suggests that the ability of tart cherry juice to reduce systolic BP and LDL cholesterol, in part, may be due to its anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory properties. Larger and longer follow-up studies are needed to confirm these findings.

Effect of Montmorency tart cherry juice on cognitive performance in older adults: a randomized controlled trial

“…tart cherry juice may be through its anti-oxidative and antiinflammatory properties. 30,32 This current investigation extends upon our recent study findings to explore the ability of tart cherry juice to improve subjective memory and cognitive function in older adults. Our present study demonstrated that 12 weeks supplementation of tart cherry juice increased subjective memory in the domain of contentment with memory by 5% and reduced movement time by 4% in comparison with the control drink.…”

“…Further, anthocyanin-rich supplements can inhibit tau hyperphosphorylation in the hippocampus and improve performance on cognitive behavioral tests as shown in mouse models of AD. 56 Our recent published studies 30,32 demonstrated that 12-week consumption of tart cherry juice lowered systolic BP by 4 mmHg and CRP by 25% as well as increased the plasma levels of DNA repair activity of OGG1. This supports the notion that the improvements in cognitive performance by tart cherry juice consumption may be due to its anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative properties, and through a lowering of BP.…”

“…Sample size calculation was previously reported. 30 We also reassessed the sample size based on the actual number of participants in this study.…”

“…[23][24][25] In vivo and in vitro studies provide evidence that tart cherries exert anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory properties. [26][27][28][29][30] Tart cherries also contain melatonin and potassium. 31,32 Consumption of tart cherries has been shown to improve sleep performance.…”

“…36,37 However, little evidence exists for humans. As part of our previously published trial, 30,32 we explored whether daily consumption of tart cherry juice would improve cognitive abilities in older adults.…”