Intake Of Berries Research Articles

Taste Sensitivity Is Associated with Food Consumption Behavior but not with Recalled Pleasantness.

As taste perception varies between individuals, it might be important in explaining food consumption behavior. Previous studies have focused on sensitivity to the bitter tastant PROP (6-n-propylthiouracil) concerning eating with little attention paid to other tastants. For the first time, connections between food consumption behavior, pleasantness, and taste sensitivity are studied with five taste modalities. Sensitivity to bitterness, sourness, umami, saltiness, and sweetness as well as an overall taste sensitivity score was determined with intensity evaluation for 199 Finnish adults. Recalled pleasantness and food consumption behavior were enquired with online questionnaires. Consumption concerned intake of vegetables, fruits, and berries; use-frequency of specific foods; and tendency to mask or modify tastes of foods. All modality-specific taste sensitivities were related to some consumption behavior but none to recalled pleasantness. A higher taste sensitivity score indicated avoidance of coffee, lower consumption of pungent foods, and a more frequent habit of adding ketchup to a meal. In conclusion, it may be more informative to study the influence of taste sensitivity on food consumption behavior with taste modalities separately rather than with a general indicator of taste sensitivity. Additionally, these results highlight the importance of studying actual behavior toward food and not just liking.

Intake of fibre and plant foods and the risk of abdominal aortic aneurysm in a large prospective cohort study in Sweden

PurposeThe purpose of this study was to investigate fibre, and plant foods, and its association with AAA risk.MethodsIn this prospective cohort study, Malmö Diet and Cancer Study, baseline data collection was carried out 1991–1996. The study participants’ (n = 26,133) dietary habits were extensively recorded at baseline. The specific diagnosis of AAA in the in-hospital registry was found valid in 95%. The association between plant foods, such as cereals and types of vegetables, and AAA was assessed by using Cox regression analysis expressed as hazard ratios (HR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI).ResultsA high intake of fibre was independently associated with AAA risk (HR per quintile 0.87, 95% CI 0.79–0.97). High intake of vegetables (HR 0.91, 95% CI 0.84–0.98), specifically leaf vegetables (HR 0.87, 95% CI 0.81–0.94), and fruits and berries (HR 0.89, 95% CI 0.82–0.96), citrus (HR 0.91, 95% CI 0.85–0.98) and non-citrus fruits (HR 0.87, 95% CI 0.81–0.95) were independently associated with a decreased AAA risk.ConclusionsA high intake of fruits and berries and vegetables, in particular leaf vegetables, are associated with a decreased risk of developing AAA.

Polyphenol Consumption on Human Bile Acids Metabolism: Preliminary Data of Bile Acid Profiles in Human Biological Samples (P06-131-19)

ObjectivesBile acids (BAs) play a critical role in regulating human health through the activation of BAs receptor farnesoid X receptor (FXR) and membrane G protein coupled bile acid receptor-1 (TGR5). We aimed to develop methods to characterize BAs and their metabolites in human biological samples and characterize changes in BAs profile after chronic polyphenol consumption to help guide investigations on the potential health effects of polyphenols via BAs metabolism. MethodsPlasma, fecal and urine samples from two human studies that included berry intake were used for developing qualitative analysis of BAs using ultra high-performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC) coupled with electrospray ionization quadrupole time of flight (QTOF). The compounds were identified based on the exact mass, fragmentation pattern, available reference standards and database search. To investigate the effect of chronic polyphenol consumption on BAs composition, pooled plasma samples (fasting and postprandial 2 h, n = 6) from a chronic (45 and 90 days) strawberry supplementation study (24 g freeze dried/day) with an older population were analyzed. ResultsAmong 106 BAs and their metabolites which were tentatively identified in the samples used for method development, 70, 55, and 47 BAs species were characterized in plasma, feces and urine samples, respectively. The qualitative analysis of BAs in plasma samples from subjects following the strawberry consumption protocol detected 8 primary and 31 secondary BAs. After 90-days strawberry supplementation, two secondary BAs–glycolithocholic acid and 9(11), (5β)-cholenic acid-3α, 12α-diol were decreased to undetectable levels in the pooled fasting sample and the FRX/TGR5 agonists, including chenodeoxycholic acid, deoxycholic acid, cholic acid, glycodeoxycholic acid and taurocholic acid, showed increasing peak areas at 2 h postprandial compared to fasting. ConclusionsThe changes in BAs profiles in fasting and postprandial plasma samples after chronic strawberry feeding suggest that strawberry polyphenols may alter BAs metabolism and the FXR/TGR5 signaling. Funding SourcesThis work was funded by the California Strawberry Commission, USDA Intramural Funds and various donor funds to the Center for Nutrition Research, IIT.

Acute Berry Intake on Metabolic Control and Cognitive Function

Acute Berry Intake on Metabolic Control and Cognitive Function

Study protocol: optimized complementary feeding study (OTIS): a randomized controlled trial of the impact of a protein-reduced complementary diet based on Nordic foods

BackgroundWhat we eat as infants and children carries long-term consequences. Apart from breastfeeding, the composition of the complementary diet, i.e. the foods given to the infant during the transition from breast milk/infant formula to regular family foods affects the child’s future health. A high intake of protein, a low intake of fruits, vegetables and fish and an unfavorable distribution between polyunsaturated and saturated fats are considered to be associate with health risks, e.g. obesity, type 2 diabetes and dyslipidemia later in life.MethodsIn a randomized, controlled study from 6 to 18 months of age we will compare the currently recommended, Swedish complementary diet to one based on Nordic foods, i.e. an increased intake of fruits, berries, vegetables, tubers, whole-grain and game, and a lower intake of sweets, dairy, meat and poultry, with lower protein content (30% decrease), a higher intake of vegetable fats and fish and a systematic introduction of fruits and greens. The main outcomes are body composition (fat and fat-free mass measured with deuterium), metabolic and inflammatory biomarkers (associated with the amount of body fat) in blood and urine, gut microbiota (thought to be the link between early diet, metabolism and diseases such as obesity and insulin resistance) and blood pressure.We will also measure the participants’ energy and nutrient intake, eating behavior and temperament through validated questionnaires, acceptance of new and unfamiliar foods through video-taped test meals and assessment of cognitive development, which we believe can be influenced through an increased intake of fish and milk fats, notably milk fat globule membranes (MFGM).DiscussionIf the results are what we expect, i.e. improved body composition and a less obesogenic, diabetogenic and inflammatory metabolism and gut microbiota composition, a more sustainable nutrient intake for future health and an increased acceptance of healthy foods, they will have a profound impact on the dietary recommendations to infants in Sweden and elsewhere, their eating habits later in life and subsequently their long-term health.Trial registrationNCT02634749. Registration date 18 December 2015.

A human-induced landscape of fear influences foraging behavior of brown bears

Animals adapt their foraging behavior to variations in food availability and predation risk. In Sweden, brown bears (Ursus arctos) depend on a nearly continuous intake of berries, especially bilberries (Vaccinium myrtillus) during late summer and early autumn to fatten up prior to hibernation. This overlaps with the bear hunting season that starts on 21 August. Bilberry occurrence varies across space, as does human-induced mortality risk. Here, we hypothesize that brown bears select for areas with a high probability of bilberry occurrence across a boreal forest ecosystem in Sweden (H1), and that human-induced mortality risk reduces bear selection for bilberries (H2). In addition, we hypothesized that bears that survived the hunting season avoided bilberry areas associated with high risk, whereas bears that were later killed selected more strongly for berries and less against risk prior to the hunting season (H3). To evaluate our hypotheses, we used resource selection functions to contrast bear GPS relocation data (N=35, 2012–2015) and random positions within the bearś home range with generalized linear mixed effect models against two focal variables: a map predicting bilberry occurrence and a map predicting human-induced mortality risk. We found that bears selected for areas with a high probability of bilberry occurrence (supporting H1), but avoided these areas if they were associated with and high risk of hunting mortality (supporting H2). The killed and surviving bears did not differ in their selection for bilberries, but they did differ in their selection against risk (partially supporting H3). Surviving bears strongly avoided high risk areas, whereas killed bears responded less to risk and selected for high-risk areas with a low probability of bilberry occurrence. This suggests that killed bears selected for other food sources than berries in high risk areas, which exposed them to human hunters. We conclude that bears respond to a landscape of fear during the berry season and that different foraging strategies may have a direct impact on individual mortality during the hunting season.

Nutrition, Daily Walking and Resilience Are Associated with Physical Function in the Oldest Old Men.

Maintaining good physical functioning in old age is of utmost importance for healthy and active aging. We examined physical function and associated factors in the oldest-old men. The participants of this cross sectional analysis of a longitudinal study were the oldest old men( n=394, mean age 88 years, range 82-97 years) from the Helsinki Business Men cohort who responded to a postal health and nutrition survey in 2016. Physical function was defined using the respective subscale (Physical Function, PF) in the RAND-36 health-related quality of life (HRQoL) instrument. Resilience was measured with validated Finnish version of Resilience scale. Diet quality was assessed using Mediterranean diet adherence score (MeDi) and Diet quality index (DQI) which is designed to show adherence to Finnish dietary recommendations. Food and dietary intakes were retrieved using 3-day food records (obtained from a sub-group of the respondents). The participants were divided into quartiles corresponding to their PF scores and health and nutrition indicators were calculated into these PF quartiles. Furthermore, a linear regression model was used to determine factors associated with PF. PF quartiles were positively associated with lower age, daily walking habit, cognition, diet quality, resilience, alcohol use and negatively associated with blood glucose levels, weight loss, body weight (BW) and falls. Polyunsaturated to saturated fat ratio and berry intake were also associated with PF. In a linear regression model PF was positively associated (p < .001, adjusted R2 = .560) with MeDi, cognition, resilience, vitality (RAND-36), and negatively with age and BW. MeDi, exercise, resilience, cognition, use of alcohol, fat quality and lower age were positively associated with PF in the oldest-old men. Weight loss, falls and interestingly BW were negatively associated with PF.

Blackberry Feeding Increases Fat Oxidation and Improves Insulin Sensitivity in Overweight and Obese Males.

Berries and other anthocyanin-rich treatments have prevented weight gain and adiposity in rodent models of diet-induced obesity. Their efficacy may be explained by modulation of energy substrate utilization. However, this effect has never been translated to humans. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of berry intake on energy substrate use and glucoregulation in volunteers consuming a high-fat diet. Twenty-seven overweight or obese men were enrolled in a randomized, placebo-controlled crossover study with two treatment periods. Subjects were fed an investigator controlled, high-fat (40% of energy from fat) diet which contained either 600 g/day blackberries (BB, 1500 mg/day flavonoids) or a calorie and carbohydrate matched amount of gelatin (GEL, flavonoid-free control) for seven days prior to a meal-based glucose tolerance test (MTT) in combination with a 24 h stay in a room-sized indirect calorimeter. The washout period that separated the treatment periods was also seven days. The BB treatment resulted in a significant reduction in average 24 h respiratory quotient (RQ) (0.810 vs. 0.817, BB vs. GEL, p = 0.040), indicating increased fat oxidation. RQ during the MTT was significantly lower with the BB treatment (0.84) compared to GEL control (0.85), p = 0.004. A 4 h time isolation during dinner showed similar treatment effects, where RQ was reduced and fat oxidation increased with BB (0.818 vs. 0.836, 28 vs. 25 g, respectively; BB vs. GEL treatments). The glucose AUC was not different between the BB and GEL treatments during the MTT (3488 vs. 4070 mg·min/dL, respectively, p = 0.12). However, the insulin AUC was significantly lower with the BB compared to the GEL control (6485 vs. 8245 µU·min/mL, p = 0.0002), and HOMA-IR improved with BB (p = 0.0318). Blackberry consumption may promote increased fat oxidation and improved insulin sensitivity in overweight or obese males fed a high fat diet.

Adherence to the New Nordic Diet during pregnancy and subsequent maternal weight development: a study conducted in the Norwegian Mother and Child Cohort Study (MoBa).

The rising prevalence of overweight and obesity is a worldwide public health challenge. Pregnancy and beyond is a potentially important window for future weight gain in women. We investigated associations between maternal adherence to the New Nordic diet (NND) during pregnancy and maternal BMI trajectories from delivery to 8 years post delivery. Data are from the Norwegian Mother and Child Cohort. Pregnant women from all of Norway were recruited between 1999 and 2008, and 55 056 are included in the present analysis. A previously constructed diet score, NND, was used to assess adherence to the diet. The score favours intake of Nordic fruits, root vegetables, cabbages, potatoes, oatmeal porridge, whole grains, wild fish, game, berries, milk and water. Linear spline multi-level models were used to estimate the association. We found that women with higher adherence to the NND pattern during pregnancy had on average lower post-partum BMI trajectories and slightly less weight gain up to 8 years post delivery compared with the lower NND adherers. These associations remained after adjustment for physical activity, education, maternal age, smoking and parity (mean diff at delivery (high v. low adherers): -0·3 kg/m2; 95 % CI -0·4, -0·2; mean diff at 8 years: -0·5 kg/m2; 95 % CI -0·6, -0·4), and were not explained by differences in energy intake or by exclusive breast-feeding duration. Similar patterns of associations were seen with trajectories of overweight/obesity as the outcome. In conclusion, our findings suggest that the NND may have beneficial properties to long-term weight regulation among women post-partum.

Gender-related differences in cardiometabolic risk factors and lifestyle behaviors in treatment-seeking adolescents with severe obesity

BackgroundObesity during adolescence is associated with cardiovascular mortality in adulthood. The adverse obesity-related cardiometabolic risk profile is already observed in adolescence. We aimed to examine possible gender differences in cardiometabolic risk factors and lifestyle behaviors among adolescents with severe obesity, hypothesizing that boys would have both a higher prevalence of the metabolic syndrome as well as less healthy lifestyle behaviors than girls.MethodsCross-sectional study of treatment-seeking adolescents with severe obesity who attended the Morbid Obesity Centre at Vestfold Hospital Trust and who were consecutively enrolled in the Vestfold Register of Obese Children between September 2009 and September 2015. A total of 313 adolescents aged 12 to 18 years were recruited, whereof 268 subjects (49% boys) completed a food and activity frequency questionnaire and were included in the analysis.ResultsMean (SD) age, BMI and BMI SDS were 15 (1.6) years, 38.6 (5.9) kg/m2 and 3.5 (0.6). Levels of LDL cholesterol, fasting insulin and glucose and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) did not differ between genders. Compared to girls, boys had significantly higher triglycerides (p = 0.037) and systolic blood pressure (SBP) (p = 0.003), as well as lower HDL cholesterol (p = 0.002). The metabolic syndrome was present in 27% of the boys and 19% of the girls (p = 0.140), and the prevalence of high DBP, dyslipidemia and dysglycemia also did not differ significantly between genders. The prevalence of high SBP was higher in boys than in girls (19% vs. 9%, p = 0.021). Gender was associated with a number of lifestyle habits, as a larger proportions of boys had higher screen time (p = 0.032), more regular breakfast eating (p = 0.023), higher intake of sugar sweetened soda (p = 0.036), and lower intake of vegetables than girls (p = 0.011). By contrast, physical activity level and intake of fruit and berries did not differ between genders.ConclusionsMale treatment-seeking adolescents with severe obesity had a more unfavorable set of metabolic and behavioral risk factors for cardiovascular disease than girls. Our results indicate that lifestyle behavioral markers should be thoroughly assessed in both genders, and possible gender-related differences in risk profile should be taken into account in future treatment programs.

Assessing the consumption of berries and associated factors in the United States using the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), 2007-2012.

Intake of berries was assessed relative to other fruit and fruit juices and total fruit intake in the U.S. population age 2 years and older using the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2007-2012. Average daily intake of total fruit was about 1 cup, and berries comprised approximately 10% of total fruit consumption. Only 18% of the population met the recommendation of at least 2 cups of fruit per day. Children ages 2 to 5 years consumed the most total fruit of which about half was juice and 4% of which was berries. Among adults, the highest berry consumption was by those who were 65 years and older, non-Hispanic White, and had the highest education and income levels. Use of the Nutrition Facts panel and ingredient labeling was associated with greater total fruit and berry intake. Those who were aware of an amount of fruit that is associated with good health and of dietary guidance in general and those who had fruit available in the home consumed about twice as much berries as others. Fruit intake remains below recommendations in the U.S.; berry intake is particularly low. Behavioral indicators provided insight on how fruit and berry consumption might be increased.

Associations of Baltic Sea and Mediterranean dietary patterns with bone mineral density in elderly women.

Dietary quality in relation to bone health has been analysed in relatively few studies. The current study aimed to assess the association of the Baltic Sea diet (BSD) and the Mediterranean diet (MD) with bone mineral density (BMD) among elderly women. Lumbar, femoral and total body BMD were measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry at baseline and year 3. Dietary intake was measured by 3 d food record at baseline. BSD and MD scores were calculated from food and alcohol consumption and nutrient intake. Information on lifestyle, diseases and medications was collected by questionnaires. Longitudinal associations of BSD and MD scores with BMD were analysed using linear mixed models. Interventional prospective Kuopio Osteoporosis Risk Factor and Fracture Prevention study including women aged 65-71 years and residing in Kuopio province, Finland. Women (n 554) with mean age of 67·9 (sd 1·9) years and mean BMI of 28·8 (sd 4·7) kg/m2. Higher BSD scores were associated with higher intakes of fruit and berries, vegetables, fish and low-fat dairy products, and lower intake of sausage. Higher MD scores were associated with higher consumption of fruit and berries and vegetables. BSD and MD scores were associated with higher PUFA:SFA and higher fibre intake. Femoral, lumbar or total body BMD was not significantly different among the quartiles of BSD or MD score. The lack of associations suggest that Baltic Sea and Mediterranean dietary patterns may not adequately reflect dietary factors relevant to bone health.

Seven Day Blackberry Feeding Lowers the Respiratory Quotient in Males And Improves Insulin Sensitivity

Berries and/or berry extracts have been shown to reduce adiposity in animal models consuming a high fat diet, possibly due to alterations in energy substrate utilization. The objective of this research was to test the effect of berry intake on energy substrate use in humans consuming a high fat diet. In a placebo controlled crossover study design with 2 treatment periods, overweight/obese men (n=27) were fed a high fat diet (40% en fat) containing either 600 g/d blackberries (BB, 1200 mg/d flavonoids) or 600 g/d sweetened gelatin (calorie matched, flavonoid‐free control) for 1 week prior to a meal‐based glucose tolerance test (MTT) (75 g of sugar from waffle and syrup) and 24h stay in a room‐sized indirect calorimeter. Across the 24 hr period, the average RQ was significantly lower with the BB treatment (0.810 vs. 0.817, BB vs. gelatin, p=0.040) while energy expenditure (EE) was not different (2485 vs. 2439 kcal, p=0.11, BB vs. gelatin treatments). During the MTT, AUC of glucose was not different between BB and gelatin treatment (3488 vs. 4070 mg*min/dL, respectively, p=0.12). However, AUC of insulin was lower after consumption of BB compared to gelatin (6485 vs. 8245 uU*min/ml, p=0.0002). During this 4 hr MTT period, EE was not statistically different between the 2 treatments (BB, 452 kcal; gelatin, 440 kcal, p=0.20). However, there was a significant reduction in the RQ with BBs (BB, 0.84; gelatin, 0.85, p=0.004) which was independent of age or BMI. During the 4 hr period that started with dinner, the comparisons were similar, where a reduction in RQ and an increase in fat oxidation were observed with the BB treatment (0.818 vs. 0.836, 28 vs. 24 g, respectively; BB vs. gelatin treatments) with no difference in EE (493 vs. 483, p=0.26, BB vs. gelatin). The 24 hr stay in the calorimeter included 30 min of treadmill walking in the afternoon following lunch. During this time period, again there was a significant reduction in RQ with BB treatment (0.856 vs 0.871; BB vs. gelatin). Blackberry consumption may contribute to increased fat oxidation and improved glucose sensitivity in overweight males on a high fat diet. This is the first study to demonstrate the potential for blackberries to combat the metabolic effects of a high fat diet in human subjects. Mechanistic studies aimed at describing biochemical changes leading to these observations are underway.Support or Funding InformationSupported by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Food neophobia and its association with intake of fish and other selected foods in a Norwegian sample of toddlers: A cross-sectional study

Reluctance to try novel foods (food neophobia) prevents toddlers from accepting healthy foods such as fish and vegetables, which are important for child development and health. Eating habits established between ages 2 and 3 years normally track into adulthood and are therefore highly influential; even so, there are few studies addressing food neophobia in this age group. This cross-sectional study investigated the relationship between the level of food neophobia and the frequency of toddlers' intake of fish, meat, berries, fruit, vegetables, and sweet and salty snacks. Parents of 505 toddlers completed a questionnaire assessing the degree of food neophobia in their toddlers (mean age 28 months, SD ± 3.5), and frequency of intake of various foods. Food neophobia was rated by the Children's Food Neophobia Scale (CFNS, score range 6–42). Associations between CFNS score and food frequency were examined using hierarchical multiple regression models, adjusting for significant covariates. Toddlers with higher CFNS scores had less frequent intake of vegetables (β = −0.28, p < 0.001), berries (β = −0.17, p = 0.002), fruits (β = −0.16, p < 0.001), and fish (β = −0.15, p = 0.001). No significant associations were found for CFNS score and frequency of toddlers' intakes of meat or of sweet and fatty snacks. These findings suggest that food neophobia in toddlers is associated with lower diet quality, and indicate a need for intervention studies to address the food neophobia.

Abstract P218: Longitudinal Changes in Berry Intake and the Risk of Cardiovascular Disease in Women

Background: High intake of polyphenols has been linked to a lower risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Berries are high in polyphenols, including anthocyanins, along with other key nutrients. However, few studies have investigated the association between longitudinal changes in berry intake and long-term risk of CVD. The aim of this study was to investigate whether longitudinal changes in berry intake are associated with the risk of major CVD endpoints. Methods: Longitudinal changes in berry intake (sum of blueberries and strawberries) were assessed from two 131-item food-frequency questionnaires (FFQ) completed in 1992-1995 (FFQ1) and 2004 (FFQ2) among 29,598 middle-aged and older women free of CVD from the Women’s Health Study. Women also provided self-reports of a wide range of lifestyle, clinical and dietary factors at both timepoints. For each FFQ, women were categorized into two categories of total berry, blueberry, and strawberry intake: never/rarely and ≥1 time/month. Women were then categorized as having consistent low intake (never/rarely), consistent any intake (≥1 time/month), any increase in intake, and any decrease in intake between FFQ assessments. We used Cox proportional hazards models to calculate age and multivariable-adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) (95% confidence intervals (CI)). We included age, randomization assignments, smoking status, body mass index, physical activity, hormone replacement therapy, family history of myocardial infarction (MI), hypercholesterolemia, hypertension, diabetes, fruit and vegetable intake, saturated fatty acid intake, and omega-3 intake as covariates at the FFQ2 assessment. Results: During a mean follow-up of 9.9 years, we identified 851 cases of incident major CVD (MI, stroke, and CVD death). The intakes of total berries at FFQ1 were 23% (never/rarely) and 77% (≥1 time/month). Corresponding intakes at FFQ2 were 15% and 85%, respectively. In multivariable-adjusted models, consistently having any berry intake (HR: 1.00 (0.78-1.28)), any increase (HR: 0.89 (0.66-1.19)), or any decrease (HR: 0.84 (0.60-1.18)) in total berry intake over 10 years were not significantly associated with the risk of major CVD compared to women with consistently having no intake. A similar lack of association was observed for changes in strawberry intake. Increasing blueberry intake was associated with a lower risk of major CVD (HR: 0.83 (0.69-0.99)), whereas consistently having any blueberry intake (HR: 1.09 (0.91-1.29)) and any decrease in blueberry intake (HR: 0.97 (0.75-1.27)) were not associated with CVD. Conclusions: The results from this prospective study of middle-aged and older women initially free of CVD suggest that increasing blueberry intake over time may lower the risk of subsequent CVD.

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.

Lifestyle counseling in overweight truck and bus drivers - Effects on dietary patterns and physical activity.

We studied dietary patterns, physical activity (PA), and monthly goal setting in a weight reduction intervention in long-distance professional drivers. The study was conducted in Finland in 2009–2012. Male drivers with waist circumference > 100 cm were randomized to a lifestyle counseling (LIFE, N = 55) and a reference (REF, N = 58) group. During 12 months, LIFE participated in 6 face-to-face and 7 telephone counseling sessions on diet and PA. Dietary patterns were assessed using an index combining food diary and counselor interview, and PA with the number of daily steps using a pedometer. Monthly lifestyle goals, perceived facilitators and barriers, and adverse effects of PA in the LIFE participants were monitored using counselors' log books. Forty-seven (85%) LIFE participants completed the 12-month program. After 12 months, the mean dietary index score improved by 12% (p = 0.002, N = 24), and the number of daily steps increased by 1811 steps (median; p = 0.01, N = 22). The most frequent dietary goals dealt with meal frequency, plate model, and intake of vegetables, fruits, and berries. The most common PA mode was walking. Typical facilitators to reach monthly lifestyle goals were support from family and friends and ailment prevention; typical barriers were working schedules and ailments. Adverse effects, most commonly musculoskeletal pain, occurred among 83% of the LIFE participants. Positive changes in lifestyle habits were observed during counseling. Monthly lifestyle counseling combining face-to-face and phone contacts seemed appropriate to long-distance drivers. Barriers for reaching lifestyle changes, and adverse effects of PA were common and need to be addressed when planning counseling.Trial registration: Clinical Trials NCT00893646

Development of obesity is reduced in high-fat fed mice fed whole raspberries, raspberry juice concentrate, and a combination of the raspberry phytochemicals ellagic acid and raspberry ketone

BACKGROUND: A significant body of research demonstrates that intake of berries and berry phytochemicals favorably influence metabolism via a number of different biological mechanisms. However, raspberries and select phytochemicals present in raspberries have been less studied than several other berry fruits. OBJECTIVE: The current study tested the relative effect of whole raspberry products or raspberry phytochemicals using the C57BL/6J mouse fed a high-fat, high-sucrose diet as a model for the obesigenic Western diet. The development of obesity and related metabolic complications were measured. METHODS: C57BL/6J mice were fed experimental diets for ten weeks. Diets were formulated to include a typical dietary level of whole raspberry food products, or for the case of ellagic acid (EA) and raspberry ketone (RK), levels that could be reasonably achieved with typical dietary supplement use. In week nine, a glucose tolerance test was conducted. After ten weeks, animals were sacrificed, serum collected, and liver tissue saved for histology and lipid accumulation measurements. RESULTS: Addition of raspberry food products and phytochemicals to high-fat diet reduced body weight gain significantly when raspberry juice and puree concentrates (RJC and RPC), and the EA+RK combination were added. Food efficiency values reflected these weight changes, with the same three groups having food efficiencies similar to normal-weighted lowfat fed mice. Serum insulin and resistin levels were measured and resistin levels were reduced in the two groups fed high fat diets with RPC or RJC added. A histological evaluation of liver tissue was completed and some differences were impacted by diet. CONCLUSIONS: When added to a high-fat diet, raspberry juice and puree concentrates and the combination of EA+RK decreased weight gain and food efficiency obesity associated with consumption of the obesigenic high-fat, high-calorie diet. Future studies are required to determine mechanisms that may be responsible for these changes.

Measuring inflammatory markers in saliva in polyphenols research

There is currently an interest in the possible anti-inflammatory effects of intake of fruits and berries. The aim of this study was to determine whether the twice daily administration of a berry be ...

Identification of urinary biomarkers after consumption of sea buckthorn and strawberry, by untargeted LC–MS metabolomics: a meal study in adult men

Berries may improve health; however, accurate assessment of berry intake is still problematic. The discovery of objective biomarkers for intake of berries is therefore important in assessing both intake and compliance. We aimed to identify urinary exposure markers of two very different berries, strawberry and sea buckthorn, in humans. A randomized controlled single-blinded three-way cross-over meal study was conducted in 16 overweight men. The intervention meals consisted of sea buckthorn puree, strawberry puree or an iso-caloric control drink. Urine samples were collected on each test day at t = −15 min, t = 0–1 h, t = 1–2 h, and t = 2–24 h and were analyzed by untargeted metabolomics. Multivariate analysis was applied to discover markers, followed by molecular fragmentation to ease their chemical identification. Only a few common markers appeared for the two berries, and all except one were in very low concentrations and therefore not identified. Nine and 11 markers were (tentatively) identified for strawberry and sea buckthorn, respectively, the most specific being conjugates of aroma compounds and coloring flavonoids. Metabolites reflecting the step-wise aromatization of quinic to hippuric acid were observed after sea buckthorn intake. Three of the identified compounds validate previously proposed exposure biomarkers for the New Nordic Diet, which is high in berries. Potentially common berry exposure markers, as well as an aromatization pathway have been distinguished by human urine profiling after consumption of sea buckthorn or strawberries. Combinations of these markers are proposed as potentially specific for intake of each of these berries, but need further validation in larger and less-controlled study settings.