Effects Of Montmorency Tart Cherry (Prunus Cerasus L.) Consumption On Vascular Function In Males With Early Hypertension.

Abstract

PURPOSE: Tart cherries contain numerous polyphenols that have the potential to improve endothelial function and reduce risk factors associated with cardiovascular disease. The objective was to examine the acute effects of Montmorency tart cherry juice on vascular function in early hypertensive males. METHODS: A single-blind, randomized, cross-over design that employed a controlled dietary intervention with a wash-out period of at least 14 days was conducted. Fifteen males with early hypertension [systolic blood pressure (SBP) ≥ 130 mmHg, diastolic blood pressure (DBP) ≤ 80 mmHg, or both] received either a 60 mL dose of a Montmorency tart cherry concentrate (MC) or a placebo (PLA). Microvascular reactivity (laser Doppler imaging with iontophoresis), arterial stiffness [pulse wave velocity (PWV), pulse wave analysis], blood pressure and phenolic acid [protocatechuic (PCA) and vanillic (VA)] absorption was assessed at baseline and 1, 2, 3, 5 and 8 h after consumption. RESULTS: Significant differences in SBP (p=0.002) and MAP (p=0.014) were observed between groups, with peak reductions in postprandial SBP of 16 ± 3 mmHg 2 h post MC consumption. In addition, there was an overall reduction in PWV following MC supplementation when compared to the PLA trial (p=0.014). These vascular improvements returned to near baseline at 8 h post MC consumption. No other vascular variables were altered after consumption of the MC concentrate compared with baseline or after consumption of PLA. Finally, there were significant rises in the phenolic acids PCA and VA peaking at 1-2 h post MC ingestion (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Montmorency, tart cherry intake acutely improves measures of vascular function in males with early hypertension. These benefits are likely to be mechanistically linked to the actions of circulating phenolic acids that are seen to increase following juice consumption. This work provides additional information of the potential importance of polyphenol-rich foods in health maintenance; critically this study shows new information on the application of Montmorency tart cherries, in particular positively impacting on vascular function.