Acute effects of various fast-food meals on vascular function and cardiovascular disease risk markers: the Hamburg Burger Trial.
BACKGROUND
High-fat meals have negative effects on endothelial function, but vitamin-rich side orders may prevent these negative effects.


OBJECTIVE
The acute effects of conventional and alternative fast-food meals on vascular function and various cardiovascular biomarkers were investigated.


METHODS
In a crossover study, flow-mediated endothelium-dependent dilatation (FMD) and cardiovascular disease risk markers were investigated in 24 healthy volunteers before and 2 and 4 h after 3 fast-food meals: a conventional beef burger with French fries, ketchup, and carbonated lemon-flavored soda (meal 1); a vegetarian burger with French fries, ketchup, and carbonated lemon-flavored soda (meal 2); and a vegetarian burger with salad, fruit, yogurt, and orange juice (meal 3).


RESULTS
FMD decreased after all 3 fast-food meals: the values were 9.7 +/- 2.5%, 7.5 +/- 3.5%, and 6.2 +/- 3.3% for meal 1; 9.2 +/- 3.4%, 7.1 +/- 3.4%, and 6.3 +/- 4.0% for meal 2; and 8.8 +/- 3.3%, 6.2 +/- 4.0%, and 6.8 +/- 4.3% for meal 3 at baseline, 2 h, and 4 h, respectively. There were significant intraindividual differences for time (P < 0.001) but not for type of meal (P = 0.677). A postprandial increase in baseline diameter of the brachial artery was significant for time (P < 0.001) but not for type of meal (P = 0.148).


CONCLUSIONS
Against common expectations, a conventional beef burger meal and presumably healthier alternatives with or without vitamin-rich side orders did not differ significantly in their acute effects on vascular reactivity. The frequently reported postprandial decline in FMD may be attributed in part to a postprandial increase in baseline arterial diameter.
Institute of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, University Hospital Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany. t.rudolph@uke.uni-hamburg.de
Tanja K
TK
Rudolph
Kaike
K
Ruempler
Edzard
E
Schwedhelm
Jing
J
Tan-Andresen
Ulrich
U
Riederer
Rainer H
RH
Böger
Renke
R
Maas
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D002755:Choice Behavior; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005518:Food Preferences; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009753:Nutritive Value; D012147:Restaurants; D012307:Risk Factors; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D014664:Vasodilation