Effects of Montmorency tart cherry (Prunus Cerasus L.) consumption on vascular function in men with early hypertension

Karen M. Keane, Trevor W. George, Costas L. Constantinou, Meghan A. Brown, Tom Clifford, Glyn Howatson

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

69 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Background: Tart cherries contain numerous polyphenolic compounds that could potentially improve endothelial function and reduce cardiovascular disease risk. Objective: We sought to examine the acute effects of Montmorency tart cherry (MC) juice on vascular function in subjects with early hypertension. Design: A placebo-controlled, blinded, crossover, randomized Latin square design study with a washout period of ≥14 d was conducted. Fifteen men with early hypertension [systolic blood pressure (SBP) ≥130 mm Hg, diastolic blood pressure ≥80 mm Hg, or both] received either a 60-mL dose of MC concentrate or placebo. Microvascular reactivity (laser Doppler imaging with iontophoresis), arterial stiffness (pulse wave velocity and analysis), blood pressure, and phenolic acid absorption were assessed at baseline and at 1, 2, 3, 5, and 8 h postconsumption. Results: MC consumption significantly lowered SBP (P ≥ 0.05) over a period of 3 h, with peak reductions of mean ± SEM 7 ± 3 mm Hg 2 h after MC consumption relative to the placebo. Improvements in cardiovascular disease risk factors were closely linked to increases in circulating protocatechuic and vanillic acid at 1-2 h. Conclusions: MC intake acutely reduces SBP in men with early hypertension. These benefits may be mechanistically linked to the actions of circulating phenolic acids. This study provides information on a new application of MCs in health maintenance, particularly in positively modulating SBP.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1531-1539
Number of pages9
JournalAmerican Journal of Clinical Nutrition
Volume103
Issue number6
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Jun 2016
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Blood pressure
  • Cardiovascular risk factors
  • Hypertension
  • Phenolic acids
  • Tart cherries

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