Effects Of Short-term Continuous Montmorency Tart Cherry Juice Supplementation In Participants With Metabolic Syndrome

Abstract

PURPOSE: The prevention of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and type II diabetes mellitus (T2D) would be a major step in retarding rising global prevalence and incidence rates. Metabolic Syndrome (MetS) augments the incidence of CVD by 2-fold and T2D by 5-fold. Montmorency tart cherries are rich in phytochemicals and have previously been shown to improve cardio-metabolic biomarkers in humans. This study aimed to examine cardio-metabolic responses after 7 days Montmorency tart cherry juice (MTCJ) supplementation and also acute responses to a single-bolus, in humans with MetS. METHODS: In a randomised, single-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover trial, twelve participants with MetS (50 ±10 y; 6M/6F), consumed MTCJ or placebo (PLA) for 7 days. Blood-based (serum glucose, insulin, lipid profile) and functional (cardiac haemodynamics, arterial stiffness and resting metabolic rate) cardio-metabolic biomarkers were measured pre- and post-supplementation, and acute responses measured pre-bolus and up to 5 hours post-bolus on the 7th day. Comparisons were made by two-way, repeated measures ANOVA design. RESULTS: 24-hour ambulatory systolic (PLA vs. MTCJ, 2±1 vs. -5±1 mmHg, P = 0.016), diastolic (2±1 vs. -2±1 mmHg , P = 0.009) blood pressure and mean arterial pressure (3±1 vs. -2±0 mmHg, P = 0.041) were significantly lower after 7 days MTCJ supplementation compared to PLA. Findings also showed a significant reduction in glucose (0.03±0.07 vs. -0.50±0.00 mmol.L-1, P = 0.038), total cholesterol (0.04±0.06 vs. -0.40±0.07 mmol.L-1, P = 0.036), LDL (0.26±0.09 vs. -0.36±0.14 mmol.L-1, P = 0.023) concentrations and total cholesterol:HDL ratio (0.13±0.00 vs. 0.02±0.00, P = 0.004) with concomitant lower resting respiratory exchange ratio values (0.01±0.02 vs. -0.03±0.00, P = 0.009) after 6 days MTCJ consumption compared to PLA. CONCLUSIONS: This study revealed for the first time MTCJ to significantly improve 24-hour BP, fasting glucose, total cholesterol and total cholesterol:HDL ratio, and also lower resting respiratory exchange ratio compared to a control in any human population. Responses demonstrated clinically relevant improvements on aspects of cardio-metabolic function, emphasising the potential efficacy of MTCJ in preventing further cardio-metabolic dysregulation in an ‘at risk’ population.