Impact of Aronia Berry Extract on Cardiovascular Health

Study Overview

Recent research has highlighted the beneficial effects of Aronia berry supplements on cardiovascular health. The study aimed to evaluate how these supplements influence vascular function and the gut microbiome composition in healthy individuals.

Clinical Trial Design

The clinical trial involved 66 healthy male participants who were randomly assigned to one of three groups. The first group received a high-polyphenol extract equivalent to 75 grams of berries, the second group consumed whole fruit powder equivalent to 10 grams of berries, and the third group was given a placebo with no polyphenols.

Findings on Vascular Function

After a 12-week supplementation period, significant improvements in flow-mediated dilation were observed in participants taking either the extract or the whole fruit powder. Notably, these improvements were evident as early as two hours post-consumption of the extract. Flow-mediated dilation indicates the widening of arteries in response to increased blood flow, serving as a critical measure of vascular health and a predictor of cardiovascular disease. Enhancements in this measure are linked to improved arterial and cardiovascular health.

Effects on Gut Microbiome

The study also noted increases in metabolized phenolic components in the plasma of participants who received the supplements. Regarding the gut microbiota, the researchers discovered that Aronia extract specifically promoted the growth of Anaerostipes bacteria, while the whole fruit powder was associated with an increase in Bacteroides bacteria.

Reference

Geoffrey Istas, Eleanor Wood, Melanie Le Sayec, Claudia Rawlings, Jeeyoung Yoon, Vaishnavi Dandavate, Debora Cera, Simone Rampelli, Adele Costabile, Emilie Fromentin, Ana Rodriguez-Mateos (2019). Effects of aronia berry (poly)phenols on vascular function and gut microbiota: a double-blind randomized controlled trial in adult men. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Volume 110, Issue 2, August 2019, Pages 316–329.

Image Credit

Image by Merja Partanen from Pixabay.