Dietary Intake Of Anthocyanins Research Articles

Habitual consumption of anthocyanin is associated with improvements in mood and cognitive performance in older people with memory complaints

The role of flavonoids on cognitive performance in older adults has been intensively studied, with the subclass of anthocyanins showing promising outcomes(1). However, there is conflicting evidence in the case of individuals at high risk of developing dementia, namely those with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). A recent study has suggested that cognitive scores in people with MCI were higher in those who had higher anthocyanin intake (>10 mg)(2). Baseline data from 65 participants of an ongoing clinical trial that had an MIS (Memory Index Score) score ≤ 13 with self-reported subjective memory complaints, (mean age 69.1y ± 6.2) were used to investigate the relationship between dietary anthocyanin intake and indices of mood and cognitive performance. Repeated 24-hour dietary intake was recorded through Intake24 (a computer-based program) for three days (2Xweekday and 1Xweekend day) and anthocyanin intake was quantified using the PhenolExplorer food composition database. The primary outcome of interest was the Buschke and Grober Free and Cued Selective Reminding Test-Immediate Recall (FCSRT+IR) (assesses auditory anterograde memory functioning), while other cognitive functions assessed included: Spot the Word-2 (assessing premorbid estimate); Oral Symbol Digit Test (speed of processing); List Sorting (working memory); Trail Making Test A & B (speed of processing/executive function); and Verbal Fluency (language/semantic memory). Subjective memory complaints were assessed using the Memory Assessment Clinic-Q (MAC-Q) and mood was assessed using the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS). Independent t-tests were used to compare differences in cognitive tasks and mood scores between high (>10 mg/d) and low consumers of anthocyanins (<10 mg/d). There was a trend for high anthocyanin consumers (n = 35, median = 44.87 (10.01, 177.83)) to score better on FCSRT-Delayed Free Recall scores (16.57 ± 3.74) compared to lower consumers (n = 30, median = 0.01 (0, 9.51)), (15.97 ± 0.18) with a mean difference (SE) of −1.06 (0.58) (p = 0.06) suggesting recall of 1.06 more words after a 20-30 minute delay. Higher consumers had a lower GDS score (1.77 ± 3.73) compared to lower consumers (3.73 ± 1.77), p = 0.01. Spot the word test scores (assesses premorbid verbal abilities using a robust lexical decision task) were higher for high anthocyanin consumers (53.06 ± 4.38) compared to lower consumers (50.40 ± 4.38), mean difference (SE) = −2.66 (1.10), p = 0.01, meaning participants with higher intake of dietary anthocyanin were able to point at 2.7 more real words than low consumers. Dietary consumption of anthocyanin in older adults with MIS is associated with beneficial effects on depressive scores and the ability to retrieve words. Further research is warranted to identify optimal dosage for recommended intake. This cross-sectional study used baseline data from a randomised controlled trial registered with the Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ANZCTR):12622000065796.

Intake of Blueberries, Anthocyanins, and Risk of Eye Disease in Women

BackgroundBlueberries and anthocyanins, their key bioactive component, may improve eye health. However, few long-term studies have examined blueberries and anthocyanins with cataract and age-related macular degeneration (AMD). ObjectivesTo investigate the prospective association between blueberry and anthocyanin intake with incident cataract, total AMD, and visually significant AMD among middle-aged and older women. MethodsA total of 36,653 and 35,402 women initially free of AMD and cataract, respectively, aged ≥45 y from the Women’s Health Study provided semiquantitative food frequency questionnaire data on blueberry intake categorized as none, 1–3 servings/mo, 1 serving/wk, or ≥2 servings/wk, plus a combined category of ≥1 serving/wk. Total anthocyanin intake and major subclasses were energy-adjusted and categorized into quintiles. Self-reported risk factors of eye disease were adjusted in multivariable hazard ratios (HRs) (95% confidence intervals [CIs]) of confirmed cataract, AMD, and visually significant AMD with mean follow-up of 11 y. ResultsAmong the participants, 10.5% consumed ≥1 serving/wk of blueberries, with mean total anthocyanin intake of 11.2 mg/d. Compared to no blueberry intake, women consuming 1–3 servings/mo, 1 serving/wk, and ≥2 servings/wk had corresponding multivariable HRs of total AMD of 0.90 (95% CI: 0.73, 1.11), 0.71 (95% CI: 0.50, 1.00), and 0.36 (95% CI: 0.14, 0.93) (Ptrend = 0.011); those consuming ≥1 servings/wk had an HR of 0.68 (95% CI: 0.47, 0.98). A similar magnitude of HRs were found for visually significant AMD (Ptrend = 0.012) but not for cataract. There were no significant associations between increasing total anthocyanin quintiles and total and visually significant AMD, but there was a modest inverse association with cataract (Ptrend = 0.022), driven by a 10% reduction in cataract in the upper 2 quintiles. ConclusionsGreater blueberry intake significantly reduced total AMD, but not visually significant AMD or cataract. However, the magnitude of effect for visually significant AMD was similar to total AMD. There was a modest but significant inverse association between dietary anthocyanin intake with cataract but not AMD.

Interaction between dietary flavonoid intake and trouble sleeping on non-alcoholic fatty liver disease risk: a cross-sectional study.

The possible interaction of dietary flavonoid intake and sleep on non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has not been well studied. This study investigated the interaction between dietary flavonoid intake and trouble sleeping on the risk of NAFLD. Three discrete National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data cycles from 2007 to 2010 and 2017 to 2018 were used. NAFLD was diagnosed by a US Fatty Liver Index ≥30. A sleep questionnaire diagnosed trouble sleeping. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression, restricted cubic spline (RCS) and subgroup analyses were used to evaluate the association between dietary flavonoids, trouble sleeping and NAFLD. We employed the relative excess risk due to interaction, attributable proportion of interaction and synergy index to evaluate additive interactions. Ultimately, 5056 participants were enrolled, and higher anthocyanidins and flavanones intake was negatively correlated with NAFLD. Conversely, trouble sleeping was positively associated with NAFLD. These correlations remained stable after adjusting for confounders, and there was a sex difference in this relationship. In the RCS model, anthocyanins were negatively non-linearly related to NAFLD, while flavanones showed a negative linear relationship. Moreover, there was a synergistic interplay between low dietary anthocyanin intake and trouble sleeping on the risk of NAFLD. A similar relationship existed for flavanone intake. Anthocyanin and flavanone intake were negatively associated, whereas trouble sleeping was positively associated with NAFLD risk. There was a synergistic effect of low anthocyanin intake and trouble sleeping. The same relationship existed for low flavanone intake.

Foods and beverages made from Mexican Purple Corn: a means to increase anthocyanins’ intake

Background: Anthocyanins (AAs) are natural pigments and bioactive compounds that are of broad interest due to their potential beneficial effects on health. In the market, while some foods, such as berries, provide important amino acid (AA) intakes, there is a growing trend to explore new sources. In Mexico, there is the Mexican Purple Corn, a variant capable to produce AAs in all the organs of the corn ear. We overlook that the preparation of foods and beverages from these raw materials may represent the development of potential functional foods and a means to increase the dietary intake of AAs. Methods: We used spectrophotometry to quantify the total anthocyanins content (TAC) of three foods made from purple kernels, and six beverages prepared from corn husks+corncobs or corn silks. Foods consisted of elote (Mexican street corn or corn on a cob), a snack, and tortillas, while beverages involved what we named functional beverages, infusions, and hot teas. We compared their TAC values and estimated the AAs intake. Results: Foods and beverages exhibited total antioxidant capacities (TACs) ranging from 3.0 mg to 119.5 mg per 100 g of biomass (p ≤ 0.05). Notably, most beverages demonstrated higher TACs than foods. The corn husks+corncobs infusion recorded the highest TAC, succeeded by functional beverages derived from amino acid (AA) extracts of corn husks+corncobs (67.04 and 93.12 mg of TAC per 100 g of biomass, p ≤ 0.05). Among hot teas and infusions, maceration in the latter resulted in a higher AA extraction. For foods, TACs varied from 4.3 to 38.4 mg of TAC per 100 g of biomass, and, similar to beverages, the preparation process influenced TAC. The roasted snack exhibited a higher AA content. Conclusion: Mexican Purple Corn shows promise as a source for foods and beverages rich in amino acids (AAs). This crop represents an option to increase the daily intake of this flavonoid, and to acquire its potential bioactive effects. On a regular day, we can obtain 95 mg of TA from 300 g of purple corn-based foods, and 750 mL of different beverages made from corn husks, corncobs, and corn silks. Keywords: Mexican Purple Corn, anthocyanins, corn husks, corncobs, corn silks, dietary source of anthocyanins.

Higher anthocyanin intake is associated with a lower risk of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in the United States adult population.

Flavonoids are a class of plant chemicals known to have health-promoting properties, including six subclasses. Anthocyanin is one of the subclasses that have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities. However, the relationship between flavonoid subclass intake and the risk of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and liver fibrosis has not been verified in representative samples of the United States. This is a cross-sectional study based on the data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) and the Food and Nutrient Database for Dietary Studies (FNDDS) in 2017-2018. The intake of flavonoid subclasses of the participants was obtained from two 24 h dietary recalls. The NAFLD and liver fibrosis were defined based on the international consensus criteria. The relationship between flavonoid subclass intake and NAFLD and liver fibrosis was evaluated using a multivariate logistic regression model corrected for multiple confounding factors. Subgroup analysis, trend tests, interaction tests and restricted cubic spline were carried out to further explore this relationship. In addition, we also explored the relationship between anthocyanin and liver serum biomarkers, dietary total energy intake and healthy eating index (HEI)-2015 scores. A total of 2,288 participants were included in the analysis. The intake of anthocyanin was significantly negatively associated with the risk of NAFLD, but not other flavonoid subclasses. A higher anthocyanin intake was significantly associated with a lower risk of NAFLD (quartile 4, OR 0.470, 95% CI 0.275-0.803). The results of subgroup analysis showed that the protective effect of dietary anthocyanin intake on NAFLD was more pronounced in participants of non-Hispanic whites, with hypertension and without diabetes (P for interaction <0.05). Alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), dietary total energy intake was significantly negatively correlated with dietary anthocyanin intake. We did not find any protective effect of flavonoid subclass intake on liver fibrosis. Anthocyanin, but not other flavonoid subclasses, can significantly reduce the risk of NAFLD. The protective effect was more pronounced in non-Hispanic whites, participants without diabetes and those with hypertension. Our study provides new evidence that anthocyanin intake has a reverse significant association with the risk for NAFLD.

Study on the Dietary Intake of Anthocyanins in Chinese People and Effect of Anthocyanins on Cardiovascular Disease

Anthocyanin is one of the most important water-soluble flavonoids, which is the cause of the red and blue colors of the plants and can be always found in the berries. Anthocyanin is now known that it has many positive effects on human health, especially for cardiovascular health. One of the leading causes of mortality worldwide is cardiovascular disease. Vascular health is influenced by endothelial activity, arterial stiffness, and the formation of atherosclerotic plaques. Anthocyanins ameliorate dyslipidemia and vascular stiffness, inhibit COX-1 and COX-2 enzymes, have antiatherogenic, antihypertensive, antithrombotic, and anti-inflammatory properties. Anthocyanins can be used as medicine in prevention and treatment of cardiovascular diseases with a focus on dietary and other modifiable cardiovascular risk factors. This article aims to provide a present-day summary of the processes underlying the vascular protective action of anthocyanins obtained from food, analyze the relationship between anthocyanin intake and cardiovascular diseases, study the main anthocyanin sources of Chinese people, and provide some dietary suggestions for daily anthocyanin intake of Chinese people. Future development will pay more attention to customized health products and preventive medicine.

Dietary intake of cyanidin-3-glucoside induces a long-lasting cardioprotection from ischemia/reperfusion injury by altering the microbiota

The anthocyanin class of flavonoids, including cyanidin-3-glucoside (C3G) present in berries, blood oranges and pigmented cereal crops, are food bioactives with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory action, capable to reduce myocardial ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury by unclear mechanism. Assessing the value of sporadic beneficial diet is critical for practical application. We aimed to determine whether and how the cardioptotective effect of dietary intake of anthocyanins persists. Gene expression, histology and resistance to I/R were investigated ex vivo in hearts from mice after a month beyond the cease of the C3G-enriched diet. Cardiac injury, oxidative stress and mitochondrial damage following I/R was effectively reduced in mice fed C3G-enriched diet, even after a month of wash out with standard diet. Cardioprotection was observed also in immune-deficient mice lacking mature B and T cells indicating the anti-inflammatory activity of C3G was not involved. Moreover, the transcription reprogramming induced by the C3G-enriched diets was rescued by the wash out treatment. Instead, we found C3G-enriched diet changed the microbiome and the transplantation of the fecal microbiota transferred the cardioprotection from mice fed C3G-enriched diet to mice fed standard diet. These findings established the effect of C3G dietary intake on gut microbiota determines long lasting cardioprotection.

Intake of New Zealand Blackcurrant Powder Affects Skin-Borne Volatile Organic Compounds in Middle-Aged and Older Adults

Skin volatile organic compounds (VOCs) can cause body odor or reveal human disease and may result from lipid peroxidation or activity by skin bacteria. We examined the effect of intake of New Zealand blackcurrant (NZBC) powder for 77 skin VOCs in middle-aged and older adults in a crossover design. Fourteen adults (nine males, age: 55 ± 5 yrs) consumed NZBC powder for 7 days (6 g·day−1 with 138.6 mg anthocyanins). Two hours after the last intake, a passive flux sampler with trapping media was applied in the base of the neck for 1 hour. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry was used for media analysis. Habitual anthocyanin intake was quantified using a food frequency questionnaire. Compared to control (i.e., no intake of NZBC powder), emission of six skin VOCs (i.e., 2-nonenal, acetic acid, 2-hexanone, 6-methyl-5-hepten-2-one, benzaldehyde, allyl methyl sulfide) were lower by more than 25%. Increases were observed for γ-octanolactone (+184%) and γ-decanolactone (+89%). A trend for a decrease for isovaleraldehyde, hexanal, and 2-pentanone, and an increase for heptanoic acid and γ-nonanolactone was observed. There was a significant correlation with daily habitual dietary anthocyanin intake for control values of hexanal and percentage change of γ-octanolactone. NZBC powder can change emanation of some VOCs in human skin. Analysis of skin VOCs following specific polyphenol intake may address the impact of dietary components to affect internal metabolic processes, body odor, and health.

Daily and Not Every-Other-Day Intake of Anthocyanin-Rich New Zealand Blackcurrant Extract Alters Substrate Oxidation during Moderate-Intensity Walking in Adult Males

Daily intake of anthocyanin-rich New Zealand blackcurrant (NZBC) extract can enhance exercise-induced fat oxidation. It is not known whether habitual dietary anthocyanin intake and body composition affects blackcurrant-induced fat oxidation or even if daily intake is required. We examined effects of daily and every-other-day intake of NZBC extract on metabolic and physiological responses during moderate-intensity walking. Sixteen physically active males (age: 24 ± 6 yr, body mass: 78 ± 16 kg, BMI: 24.7 ± 4.2 kg·m −2, body fat: 15.2 ± 5.0%) volunteered. A randomized, cross-over design with a control condition was used and habitual dietary anthocyanin intake quantified. For intake conditions, participants consumed two capsules of NZBC extract (i.e. 210 mg of anthocyanins, CurraNZ™) with breakfast daily or every-other-day for 14 days (14-D and 14-EOD) with 14-days washout. Final two capsules were taken 2-hr before the walk (speed: 5.7 ± 0.7 km·hr−1). There was a trend for lower respiratory exchange ratio and carbohydrate oxidation with changes only for 14-D. Fat oxidation was increased only for 14-D (p < 0.05) with 50% of the participants more than a 10% change. In 14-D, there was a positive correlation for BMI and body fat % with the absolute change in fat oxidation but not with habitual dietary anthocyanin intake. Daily intake of NZBC extract is required to enhance exercise-induced fat oxidation. Enhanced exercise-induced fat oxidation by daily intake of NZBC extract is related to body composition but not to habitual dietary anthocyanin intake in physically active males. Daily anthocyanin intake seems to be required to allow the gradual build-up and maintenance of anthocyanin-derived metabolites that are required to alter mechanisms for exercise-induced substrate oxidation.

Potential Factors Influencing the Effects of Anthocyanins on Blood Pressure Regulation in Humans: A Review

Dietary intake of anthocyanins (ACNs) is associated with a reduced risk of cardiovascular and coronary heart disease. While the anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and lipid-lowering effects of ACN consumption have been consistently reported, their effect(s) on blood pressure regulation is less consistent and results from human studies are mixed. The objective of this review is attempting to identify potential patterns which may explain the variability in results related to blood pressure. To do so, we review 66 human intervention trials testing the effects on blood pressure of purified ACN or ACN-rich extracts, or whole berries, berry juices, powders, purees and whole phenolic extracts, from berries that are rich in ACN and have ACNs as predominant bioactives. Several factors appear to be involved on the mixed results reported. In particular, the baseline characteristics of the population in terms of blood pressure and total flavonoid intake, the dose and duration of the intervention, the differential effects of individual ACN and their synergistic effects with other phytochemicals, the ACN content and bioavailability from the food matrix, and individual differences in ACN absorption and metabolism related to genotype and microbiota enterotypes.

Effect of New Zealand Blackcurrant Powder on Skin Emission of Volatile Organic Compounds in Middle Aged and Older Adults (P06-092-19)

ObjectivesVolatile organic compounds (i.e., VOCs) emanating from the human skin are used to detect disease biomarkers and causes of body odour. Seven-day intake of New Zealand blackcurrant (NZBC) powder reduced skin emission of 2-nonenal, a lipid peroxidation compound responsible for body odour in older adults. Anthocyanin-induced bioavailability of plasma metabolites by intake of NZBC may affect the production of VOCs. In the present study, we examined the effect of 7-day NZBC powder intake on the skin emission of 76 VOCs. MethodsFourteen Caucasian adults (9 males, age: 55 ± 5 yr) volunteered. Participants consumed NZBC powder for 7 days (Sujon Berries, NZ, 6 g·day-1 with 138.6 mg anthocyanin, 49 mg Vit C, 5.2 g of carbohydrates and total phenolic content of 271.6 mg per serving). Two hours after the last intake, a passive flux sampler with trapping media (MonoTrap®, DCC18, GL Science, Japan) was applied to the skin in the base of the neck for one hour, and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry was used for media analysis (Kimura et al., 2016). Participants did not use hot water or soap for 48 hrs on the skin sampling location. Dietary anthocyanin intake was quantified using a food frequency questionnaire. Data were analysed with paired, two-tailed t-test and effect size (Cohen’s d) was calculated. ResultsDecreases in skin emission were observed for acetic acid (–57%, P = 0.006, d = –1.26), 2-hexanone (–47%, P = 0.031, d = –0.86), 6-methyl-5-hepten-2-one (–93%, P = 0.005, d = –1.23), benzaldehyde (–86%, P = 0.004, d = –0.96), allyl methyl sulfide (–35%, P = 0.015, d = –0.98) and increases for γ-octanolactone (+65%, P = 0.023, d = 0.98) and γ-decanolactone (+47%, P = 0.015, d = 1.11). For these VOCs, there was no significant correlation between daily anthocyanin intake and baseline values. A trend for a decrease was observed for isovaleraldehyde, hexanal and 2-pentanone and an increase for heptanoic acid and γ-nonanolactone, all 0.05 < P < 0.1. ConclusionsAnthocyanin-containing NZBC powder can change the emanation of some volatile organic compounds in human skin. Analysis of volatile organic compounds in human skin following nutritional interventions can address the impact of dietary components to affect human body odour and health. Funding SourcesSujon Berries (Nelson, NZ) provided supplements. Support for conference attendance was obtained from Blackcurrant New Zealand Inc. (NZ).

Usual dietary anthocyanin intake, sources and their association with blood pressure in a representative sample of Australian adults.

Anthocyanins represent an important subgroup of non-nutritive components of food as evidence continues to build related to their beneficial bioactive effects. Using a recently developed Australian anthocyanin database, the present study aimed to estimate the intake of both total anthocyanins and their subclasses, identify food sources of anthocyanins, and determine associations between anthocyanin intake and measured blood pressure (BP). The present study comprised a secondary analysis of the 2011-12 National Nutrition and Physical Activity component of the Australian Health Survey. Anthocyanin intake was estimated using an Australian anthocyanin database. Usual anthocyanin intake, as estimated from 24-h diet recall data, was computed using multiple source methods, whereas food sources were determined by calculating contribution of food groups to total anthocyanin intake. Regression analysis, adjusted for covariates (age, gender, body mass index, high BP diagnosis, smoking status and physical activity) assessed the relationship between anthocyanin intake and BP in adults aged ≥50years. Mean anthocyanin intake was 24.17±0.32mgday-1 . Across age groups, berries were the top sources: blackberry (5-65%), cherry (2-24%), blueberry (2-13%) and raspberry (3-12%). There was a significant inverse association between anthocyanin intake and systolic BP (β=-0.04, F=16.8, d.f.=6, r2 =0.05, P<0.01) and diastolic BP (β=0.01, F=5.35, d.f.=6, R2 =0.013, P<0.01), in models that adjusted for covariates. In comparison with the world composite database, anthocyanin intake in the Australian population was above average [mean (SD): 24.17(0.32)mgday-1 versus 18.05(21.14)mgday-1 ]. Berries were the primary source of anthocyanins. Anthocyanin intake in older adults aged ≥50years was inversely associated with BP.

A systematic literature review of the effect of anthocyanins on gut microbiota populations.

Evidence has shown that anthocyanins, a subclass of polyphenol, are metabolised in the gut, modulate bacterial species and exert bioactive effects through this interaction. A systematic literature review was undertaken to determine the level of current evidence for the association between anthocyanin intake and changes in gut microbiota populations. The studies included were also assessed for the different techniques used in microbiota determination. Following the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines, scientific databases, including Scopus, PubMed, ScienceDirect, Web of Science and MEDLINE, were searched up to June 2017. Details on population/sample, study design, intervention/control, dosage and method of microbiota determination were extracted. Six studies (three in vitro, two animal and one human trials) were included in the review, which showed that anthocyanins induced a significant proliferative effect on Bifidobacterium spp., known for their wide use in probiotics and for the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome. There was also an observed inhibition of Clostridium histolyticum, which was shown to be pathogenic in humans. The depth of analysis is an important consideration for the choice of microbiota determination technique with respect to a comprehensive, high-resolution microbiota analysis or analysis of the main microbiota taxa. Very limited research has been carried out in the area of anthocyanins and gut microbiota; beneficial effects have generally been observed, and further clinical trials in humans are needed to confirm changes to gut microbes in relation to dietary anthocyanin intake and potential health benefits.

Associations of dietary intakes of anthocyanins and berry fruits with risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus: a systematic review and meta-analysis of prospective cohort studies.

To investigate the associations of dietary intakes of anthocyanins and berry fruits with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) risk and to evaluate the potential dose-response relationships based on prospective cohort studies. Cochrane library, Embase and PubMed databases were systematically searched up to Jan 2016 for relevant original studies. Summary relative risks (RRs) were calculated with a random effects model comparing the highest with lowest category. Dose-response was estimated using restricted cubic spline regression models. Three cohort studies reporting dietary anthocyanin intake with 200 894 participants and 12 611 T2DM incident cases, and five cohort studies reporting berry intake with 194 019 participants and 13 013 T2DM incident cases were investigated. Dietary anthocyanin consumption was associated with a 15% reduction of T2DM risk (summary RR=0.85; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.80-0.91; I2=14.5%). Consumption of berries was associated with an 18% reduction of T2DM risk (summary RR=0.82, 95% CI: 0.76-0.89; I2=48.6%). Significant curvilinear associations were found between dietary intake of anthocyanins (P for nonlinearity=0.006) and berries (P for nonlinearity=0.028) and T2DM risk, respectively. The risk of T2DM was decreased by 5%, with a 7.5 mg/day increment of dietary anthocyanin intake (RR=0.95; 95% CI: 0.93-0.98; I2=0.00%) or with a 17 g/day increment of berry intake (RR=0.95, 95% CI: 0.91-0.99; I2=0.00%), respectively. Higher dietary intakes of anthocyanins and berry fruits are associated with a lower T2DM risk.

Dietary anthocyanin intake and age-related decline in lung function: longitudinal findings from the VA Normative Aging Study1–3

Background: It is unknown whether habitual intake of dietary flavonoids, known for their antioxidative and anti-inflammatory properties, affects longitudinal change in lung function.Objective: We investigated whether different flavonoid subclasses present in the habitual diet were associated with beneficial changes in lung function over time in the elderly.Design: This longitudinal analysis included 839 participants from the VA (Veterans Affairs) Normative Aging Study whose lung function [forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) and forced vital capacity (FVC)] was measured at 2 and up to 5 visits between 1992 and 2008 (n = 2623 measurements). Yearly average intake of major flavonoid subclasses (anthocyanins, flavanones, flavan-3-ols, flavonols, flavones, and polymers) was calculated from food-frequency questionnaires at each visit. We estimated adjusted differences in annual change in lung function associated with each flavonoid subclass, categorized into quartiles, in linear mixed-effects regression models after adjustment for lifestyle and dietary confounders.Results: Strong inverse associations were found between anthocyanin intake and age-related decline in lung function. Independent of dietary and nondietary risk factors, slower rates of FEV1 and FVC decline by 23.6 (95% CI: 16.6, 30.7) and 37.3 (95% CI: 27.8, 46.8) mL/y, respectively, were observed in participants in the fourth quartile of intake compared with participants in the first quartile (P-trend < 0.0001). The protective associations observed for anthocyanin intake were present in both current/former and never smokers. Compared with no or very low intakes, an intake of ≥2 servings of anthocyanin-rich blueberries/wk was associated with slower decline in FEV1 and FVC by 22.5 (95% CI: 10.8, 34.2) and 37.9 (95% CI: 22.1, 53.7) mL/y, respectively. To a lesser extent, higher flavan-3-ol intake was also associated with slower lung function decline.Conclusions: An attenuation of age-related lung function decline was associated with higher dietary anthocyanin intake in this longitudinal sample of predominantly elderly men. Further prospective studies are needed to confirm these novel associations.

Dietary flavonoid intake, total antioxidant capacity and lipid oxidative damage: A cross-sectional study of Iranian women

ObjectivesAlthough strong evidence supports the antioxidant potential of flavonoids in vitro, the effect of flavonoids at physiological concentrations on the overall antioxidant status in humans is inconsistent. The aim of this study was to examine cross-sectional associations between total flavonoid consumption, serum total antioxidant capacity (TAC), and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in apparently healthy women. MethodsThrough a multistage cluster sampling, 170 women ages 20 to 48 y were recruited. The usual dietary flavonoid intake was estimated using a semiquantitive food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) by matching food items with the US Department of Agriculture flavonoid databases. General linear models were used to compare the biochemical parameters across tertiles of flavonoid intakes. ResultsAs dietary anthocyanin intake rose from the lowest to the highest tertile, the multivariate-adjusted mean TAC concentrations significantly increased from 1.08 to 1.28 (Ptrend = 0.01). This association was still significant after adjustment for fruit and vegetable intake and antioxidant vitamins (Ptrend = 0.03). The highest tertile of total flavonoid intake and theaflavins had higher mean concentrations of TAC than did the lowest tertile, but there was no linear trend (P < 0.05). There were statistically significant positive relationships between dietary intake of grapes and eggplant as main food sources of anthocyanins and serum TAC (P = 0.02 and 0.04, respectively). No significant associations were found between MDA and flavonoids intakes (P > 0.05). ConclusionsThe findings of the present study support the attribution of anthocyanins to overall antioxidant status. However, further research is needed to confirm these observed associations.

Effects of anthocyanidins on myogenic differentiation and antioxidant defense in primary myogenic cells isolated from rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)

There is increasing interest in using plant-derived extracts to promote growth and health in finfish species in recent years. Elucidating the effects of plant secondary metabolites on skeletal muscle growth signaling will contribute to an improved understanding of the effects of feeding carnivorous fish diets supplemented with plant extracts on fish somatic growth. Dietary intake of anthocyanins, a type of flavonoid widely distributed in plants, has long been associated with beneficial effects in both human and animal health; however, their effects in finfish are largely unknown. We conducted an experiment to test the effect of three doses (treatments A, B and C; 1×, 2.5× and 10×, respectively) of a mixture of three types of anthocyanidins (peonidin, cyanidin and pelargonidin chloride) on the expression of several genes in primary myogenic cells isolated from the skeletal muscle of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) after 24h of treatment. The genes of interest analyzed are involved in myogenic programing (pax7, myoD and myogenin), Notch signaling (her6 and hey2) and antioxidant enzymes (sod1, cat and gpx1). Significantly greater expression of pax7 in cells under treatment B compared with the untreated cells was detected. Although no differences in expression of myogenic regulatory factors, myoD and myogenin between test groups or the control were detected, a trend toward significantly lower expression in all groups tested compared with the control group was observed. Moreover, significantly higher expression levels of her6 and hey2 in cells under treatments A and B compared with untreated cells were detected. Although no significant differences in the expression of cat and sod1, significantly greater expression in gpx1 in all treated groups compared with the control group was detected. Collectively, we demonstrated that anthocyanidins enhance the expression of gpx1 in primary myogenic cells, thereby contributing to skeletal muscle tissue defense against oxidative stress in finfish species. Further, anthocyanidins appear to delay myogenic differentiation in primary myogenic cells by up-regulating the expression of pax7 while decreasing myogenic regulatory factors in a Notch signaling-dependent interaction. Whether this effect results a reduced growth performance and/or an increase in feed conversion ratio in fish fed diets supplemented with plant extracts rich in anthocyanins or anthocyanidins needs further study, and the need to better define the potential effects of different polyphenol classes in myogenic differentiation on primary myogenic cells from carnivorous fish is warranted. Statement of relevanceThe study contributes to increase our understanding regarding the effect of plant-derived secondary metabolites such as anthocyanidins on myogenic program and antioxidant enzyme defense in differentiating myogenic cells from carnivorous fish. We have demonstrated that anthocyanidins may delay the progress of the myogenic differentiation process and promote antioxidant defense expression in myogenic cells.

Effect of a Tart Cherry Juice Supplement on Arterial Stiffness and Inflammation in Healthy Adults: A Randomised Controlled Trial

Tart cherries are a particularly rich source of anthocyanins. Evidence indicates that dietary intake of anthocyanins is inversely associated with arterial stiffness. We conducted an open-label randomised placebo controlled study to determine whether a tart cherry juice concentrate (Cherry Active) reduced arterial stiffness, inflammation and risk markers for cardiovascular disease in 47 healthy adults (30-50 years). Participants consumed 30 ml of cherry concentrate diluted to a volume of 250 ml with water or the same volume of an energy matched control drink daily for six weeks. Measurements were taken at baseline and at the end of the intervention. There was no effect of the intervention on arterial stiffness (P = 0.218), c-reactive protein (P = 0.220), systolic blood pressure (P = 0.163), diastolic blood pressure (P = 0.121), total cholesterol (P = 0.342) and high density lipoprotein cholesterol (P = 0.127). At the end of the intervention, plasma antioxidant capacity (measured as the ferric reducing ability of plasma (FRAP)) was significantly higher in the intervention group than the control group (P = 0.012). We conclude that a tart cherry juice concentrate rich in anthocyanins has no effect on arterial stiffness, c-reactive protein and risk markers for cardiovascular disease, but evokes a minor increase in antioxidant status in healthy adults.