Strawberries, blueberries, and cranberries in the metabolic syndrome: clinical perspectives

J Agric Food Chem. 2012 Jun 13;60(23):5687-92. doi: 10.1021/jf203488k. Epub 2011 Nov 29.

Abstract

Emerging science supports therapeutic roles of strawberries, blueberries, and cranberries in metabolic syndrome, a prediabetic state characterized by several cardiovascular risk factors. Interventional studies reported by our group and others have demonstrated the following effects: strawberries lowering total and LDL-cholesterol, but not triglycerides, and decreasing surrogate biomarkers of atherosclerosis (malondialdehyde and adhesion molecules); blueberries lowering systolic and diastolic blood pressure and lipid oxidation and improving insulin resistance; and low-calorie cranberry juice selectively decreasing biomarkers of lipid oxidation (oxidized LDL) and inflammation (adhesion molecules) in metabolic syndrome. Mechanistic studies further explain these observations as up-regulation of endothelial nitric oxide synthase activity, reduction in renal oxidative damage, and inhibition of the activity of carbohydrate digestive enzymes or angiotensin-converting enzyme by these berries. These findings need confirmation in future studies with a focus on the effects of strawberry, blueberry, or cranberry intervention in clinical biomarkers and molecular mechanisms underlying the metabolic syndrome.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Beverages / analysis*
  • Blueberry Plants*
  • Cardiovascular Diseases / prevention & control
  • Cholesterol, HDL / blood
  • Cholesterol, LDL / blood
  • Fragaria*
  • Humans
  • Metabolic Syndrome / drug therapy*
  • Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
  • Risk Factors
  • Triglycerides / blood
  • Vaccinium macrocarpon*

Substances

  • Cholesterol, HDL
  • Cholesterol, LDL
  • Triglycerides