Clinical trial NCT01562392: Effects of Berries and Vegetables on Cardiometabolic Risk Markers and Cognitive Functions
Official title: Effects of 5 w Daily Intake of Berries and Vegetables on Cardiometabolic Risk Markers and Cognitive Functions
Study type: INTERVENTIONAL
Overall status: COMPLETED
Phase: NA
Conditions: Metabolic Syndrome
Inflammation
Aging
Fermentation
Keywords: dietary prevention
cognitive performance
metabolic syndrome
colonic fermentation
sub clinical inflammation
cognition and metabolism
Lead sponsor: Lund University
Sponsor class: OTHER
Collaborators: name: Anti-Diabetic Food Centre
First posted: 2012-03-23
Enrollment: 40
Sex: ALL
Minimum age (years): 50
Maximum age (years): 70
Standard ages: ADULT
OLDER_ADULT
Accepts healthy volunteers: yes
Allocation: RANDOMIZED
Intervention model: CROSSOVER
Primary purpose: BASIC_SCIENCE

Brief summary: The purpose of the study is to study the potential anti-inflammatory- and metabolic effects of polyphenols and dietary fibres in a product based on a mixture of several Swedish berries and vegetables that is known to have high amounts of polyphenols and other anit-oxidants. In addition the purpose is to investigate the effects on cognitive functions of the berry product.

Detailed description: The metabolic syndrome (MetS) includes a cluster of dysfunctions that identifies subjects at risk of developing type-2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease (CVD). A key feature appears to be chronic increased inflammation and activation of the innate system. Consequently, increased low-grade inflammation has been connected to adverse effects on insulin sensitivity, glucose- and lipid metabolism, and blood pressure, and circulating markers of inflammation such as IL-6. A growing body of evidence also link low-grade inflammation to poorer cognitive functioning. Type 2 diabetes, MetS, and glucose intolerance are increasingly being associated with impaired cognition.

Dietary patterns which promote sub-clinical inflammation are increasingly being considered predictive of future risk of CVD and type-2 diabetes. There is a growing insight regarding the role of the colonic micro flora in metabolic regulation and development of low-grade inflammation and obesity. The metabolic cross talk between the colon and peripheral tissues, especially adipose tissue, has been suggested to be regulated through colonic fermentation of indigestible carbohydrates e.g. dietary fibres (DF) and resistant starch. In addition, epidemiological data shows that a high consumption of vegetables and fruits is associated with a lowered risk of cancer and cardiovascular disease, which may be due to the high concentrations of polyphenols or other anti-oxidants that are found in such foods. In addition vegetables and berries are rich in dietary fibres with the potential to beneficially modulate the gut micro flora which may have implication on metabolic risk factors.

In the presently described project it is hypothesized that 5 w daily consumption of a food product containing berries and vegetables can improve metabolic risk variables and cognitive functions. The purpose is therefore to study the potential anti-inflammatory- and metabolic effects, and prebiotic properties, of a food product based on a mixture of several Swedish berries and vegetables that is known to be rich in dietary fibres, polyphenols and other anti-oxidants. In addition the purpose is to investigate the effects on cognitive functions of the food product.

Eligibility criteria: Inclusion Criteria:

* healthy subjects

Exclusion Criteria:

* fasting plasma glucose \>6.1
* known cognitive decline
* other medications than for treatment of hypertension or hypothyroidism known gastro- intestinal problems

Primary outcomes:
measure: Working memory test
timeFrame: 5 week after intervention with test- and control product, respectively
Secondary outcomes:
measure: cardiometabolic risk variables
timeFrame: cardiometabolic risk variables will be measured the day for start of and the morning after the 5 week (35 d) intervention periods.
measure: oxidative stress
timeFrame: will be measured the day for start of and the morning after the 5 week (35 d) intervention periods.
Other outcomes:
Locations:
city: Lund
country: Sweden
facility: Applied Nutrition and Food Chemistry, Lund University
Study officials:
References:
citation: Basu A, Du M, Leyva MJ, Sanchez K, Betts NM, Wu M, Aston CE, Lyons TJ. Blueberries decrease cardiovascular risk factors in obese men and women with metabolic syndrome. J Nutr. 2010 Sep;140(9):1582-7. doi: 10.3945/jn.110.124701. Epub 2010 Jul 21.
citation: Krikorian R, Shidler MD, Nash TA, Kalt W, Vinqvist-Tymchuk MR, Shukitt-Hale B, Joseph JA. Blueberry supplementation improves memory in older adults. J Agric Food Chem. 2010 Apr 14;58(7):3996-4000. doi: 10.1021/jf9029332.
citation: Nilsson AC, Ostman EM, Holst JJ, Bjorck IM. Including indigestible carbohydrates in the evening meal of healthy subjects improves glucose tolerance, lowers inflammatory markers, and increases satiety after a subsequent standardized breakfast. J Nutr. 2008 Apr;138(4):732-9. doi: 10.1093/jn/138.4.732.
citation: Nilsson A, Salo I, Plaza M, Bjorck I. Effects of a mixed berry beverage on cognitive functions and cardiometabolic risk markers; A randomized cross-over study in healthy older adults. PLoS One. 2017 Nov 15;12(11):e0188173. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0188173. eCollection 2017.