Effects of Tart Cherry Juice on the Body

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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Tart cherries are a rich source of antioxidants. Studies have shown that tart cherries exert anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory properties. The purpose of this study is to learn about the effects of drinking tart cherry juice on cardiovascular and cognitive health.

Detailed Description
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Thirty-seven older adults were randomly assigned to drink 16 oz per day of either tart cherry juice or placebo drink for 12 weeks. Blood and urine samples were collected at baseline and 12 weeks to assess biomarkers. Physical activity and 3-day diet records were also collected throughout the study.

Official Title
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Effects of Tart Cherry Juice on the Body

Conditions
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Cardiovascular Risk Factors, Age-Related Cognitive Decline

Intervention / Treatment
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* Other: Tart cherry juice
* Other: Placebo


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: • Age 65-80 Exclusion Criteria: Allergic to tart cherries Heavy smoker Taking medications that affect cognitive function History of neurological disorders History of traumatic brain injury History of stroke Clinical diagnosis of diabetes Clinical diagnosis of Alzheimer's Disease/Dementia GI disease Kidney disease Liver disease Cancer

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 65 Years
Maximum Age: 80 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Prevention
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: Double


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: Tart cherry juice<br>Participants consumed 16 fl. oz of tart cherry juice daily for 12 weeks. | Other: Tart cherry juice<br>* 16 fl. oz of tart cherry juice<br>|
| Placebo Comparator: Placebo juice<br>Participants consumed 16 fl. oz of placebo daily for 12 weeks. | Other: Placebo<br>* 16 fl. oz of placebo<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Cognitive function | Change from baseline in cognitive test performance at 12 weeks | Baseline and 12 weeks | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Cardiovascular risk factors | Fasting blood samples were collected at baseline and 12 weeks. Change from baseline in cardiovascular risk factors including blood lipid profiles, atherogenic risk ratios, blood glucose, hemoglobin A1c, insulin, and blood pressure at 12 weeks. | Baseline and 12 weeks | 
| Oxidative stress markers | Fasting blood samples were collected at baseline and 12 weeks. Change from baseline in plasma 8-oxoguanine (ng/ml), plasma 8-hydroxy-2deoxy-guanosine (ng/mL), plasma hydroxynonenal (ng/ml), and plasma malondialdehyde (pmole/L) at 12 weeks. | Baseline and 12 weeks | 
| Inflammatory markers | Fasting blood samples were collected at baseline and 12 weeks. Change from baseline in plasma tumor-necrosis factor-α (pg/mL) and plasma high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (ng/mL) at 12 weeks. | Baseline and 12 weeks |