The Health Effect of Diet Rich in Nordic Berries

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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Dietary polyphenols might have beneficial effects on glucose and lipid metabolism based on the studies made in animals or cell cultures. The findings regarding the possible decrease of low-grade inflammation are existing also in humans. Low-grade inflammation has been suggested to be a mechanistic link between obesity and its consequences on cardiometabolic health. The aim of the present study is to examine the effect of diet rich in berries on glucose and lipid metabolism and inflammatory markers.

Detailed Description
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Berries are traditionally an important part of the Nordic diet. About 50 different berries are grown in the northern region, and about half of them are edible. Phenolic compounds are one of the most diverse group of secondary metabolites present in edible plants, and berries are especially rich in them. Flavonoids, phenolic acids, lignans and complex phenolic polymers (polymeric tannins) are typical for berries. Phenolic compounds are reported to have a variety of beneficial biological properties. They are potent antioxidants, and exhibit various other physiological activities including anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antiallergic, anticarcinogenic and antihypertensive activities. Epidemiological studies indicate that diet rich in phenolic compound correlates with lower risk of cancer and cardiovascular disease. The aim of the present study is to examine the effect of diet rich in berries on glucose and lipid metabolism and inflammatory markers and gene expression profile in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) in subjects with features of metabolic syndrome. Randomized, controlled clinical intervention including 4 wk run-in period, 8 wk dietary intervention and 4 wk recovery period was conducted.

Official Title
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The Effect of Diet Rich in Nordic Berries on Gut Microbiota, Glucose and Lipid Metabolism and Metabolism on Fenolic Compounds

Conditions
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Metabolic Syndrome, Impaired Glucose Tolerance, Low-grade Inflammation, Dyslipidemia

Intervention / Treatment
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* Dietary Supplement: 300 g of strawberry, raspberry and cloudberry
* Dietary Supplement: 400 g of bilberry
* Other: Control diet


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: overweight (BMI 26-39 kg/m2), and two of the following: elevated fasting plasma glucose in the absence of diabetes (5.6-6.9 mmol/l) abnormal serum lipid concentration: fasting serum triglyceride concentration >1.7 mmol/L, fasting serum HDL cholesterol <1.0 mmol/L (males) or <1.3 mmol/L (females)) waist circumference >102 cm (males) or >88 cm (females) blood pressure >130/85 mmHg Exclusion Criteria: chronic diseases use of lipid lowering medication

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 50 Years
Maximum Age: 65 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: None (Open Label)


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: SRC<br>Strawberry, raspberry and cloudberry intervention for 8 weeks | Dietary Supplement: 300 g of strawberry, raspberry and cloudberry<br>* 100 g of strawberry puree, 100 g of frozen raspberries and 100 g frozen cloudberries were concumed daily for 8 weeks. Bilberry consumption was restricted.<br>|
| Experimental: BB<br>Bilberry intervention for 8 weeks | Dietary Supplement: 400 g of bilberry<br>* Equivalent amount to 400 g of fresh bilberries were consumed as 40 g of dried bilberries and as 200 g of frozen bilberries. Restriction of use of strawberries, raspberries and cloudberries were set.<br>|
| Experimental: C<br>Control diet with restricted berry consumption | Other: Control diet<br>* Control diet, ie. habitual diet with restriction of berry consumption was consumed for eight weeks<br>* Other names: Diet with restricted consumption of berries.;|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Glucose level | Fasting glucose level oral glucose tolerance status at study week 8 | week 8 | 
| Cholesterol level | total, HDL and LDL cholesterol level at the study week 8 | week 8 | 
| Inflammation markers | Various inflammation markers were measured at the study week 8 | week 8 | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Markers of sterol metabolism | Markers of cholesterol absorption and synthesis were measured | week 8 | 
| gene expression in PBMCs | Global gene expression analyses in peripheral mononuclear cells (PBMC) | study week 8 | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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Bilberry, Vaccinium myrtillus, Metabolic syndrome, Glucose metabolism, Lipid metabolism, Inflammation, Gene expression