Freeze‐dried strawberry powder lowers total cholesterol and LDL‐cholesterol in females with abdominal adiposity and dyslipidemia

Abstract

Strawberry flavonoids are potent antioxidants and anti‐inflammatory agents and have been shown to reduce cardiovascular mortality in prospective studies. In this feeding study we tested the hypothesis that freeze‐dried strawberry powder (FSP) will lower fasting lipids and biomarkers of oxidative stress compared to baseline. Females (n=16) with abdominal adiposity (BMI = 30, waist circumference >35 inches) and elevated lipids (total cholesterol >200 mg/dL, or triglycerides > 150mg/dL) or low high‐density lipoproteins (HDL <50mg/dL) were fed 2 cups of the strawberry drink daily. Each cup had 25g of FSP blended in water. Subjects made 3 days/week visits for 4 weeks. Fasting blood draws, anthropometrics and blood pressure measurements were done at baseline and 4 weeks. FSP significantly reduced total cholesterol and low‐density lipoproteins (LDL)‐cholesterol levels at 4 weeks versus baseline {195.25±6.23mg/dL vs. 205.56±7.18 mg/dL (p=0.017), and 114.93±4.83 mg/dL vs. 124.27±6.37 mg/dL (p= 0.038), respectively}. Oxidized‐LDL showed a decreasing trend at 4 weeks (p=0.123). Thus, freeze‐dried strawberry powder exerts hypocholesterolemic effects and lowers CVD risk factors in obese women. (Funded by CHES, OSU)