Raisins and additional walking have distinct effects on plasma lipids and inflammatory cytokines.
BACKGROUND
Raisins are a significant source of dietary fiber and polyphenols, which may reduce cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk by affecting lipoprotein metabolism and inflammation. Walking represents a low intensity exercise intervention that may also reduce CVD risk. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of consuming raisins, increasing steps walked, or a combination of these interventions on blood pressure, plasma lipids, glucose, insulin and inflammatory cytokines.


RESULTS
Thirty-four men and postmenopausal women were matched for weight and gender and randomly assigned to consume 1 cup raisins/d (RAISIN), increase the amount of steps walked/d (WALK) or a combination of both interventions (RAISINS + WALK). The subjects completed a 2 wk run-in period, followed by a 6 wk intervention. Systolic blood pressure was reduced for all subjects (P = 0.008). Plasma total cholesterol was decreased by 9.4% for all subjects (P < 0.005), which was explained by a 13.7% reduction in plasma LDL cholesterol (LDL-C) (P < 0.001). Plasma triglycerides (TG) concentrations were decreased by 19.5% for WALK (P < 0.05 for group effect). Plasma TNF-alpha was decreased from 3.5 ng/L to 2.1 ng/L for RAISIN (P < 0.025 for time and group x time effect). All subjects had a reduction in plasma sICAM-1 (P < 0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
This research shows that simple lifestyle modifications such as adding raisins to the diet or increasing steps walked have distinct beneficial effects on CVD risk.
Puglisi
Michael J
MJ
Department of Nutritional Sciences University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06269, USA. michael.puglisi@uconn.edu
Vaishnav
Ushma
U
Shrestha
Sudeep
S
Torres-Gonzalez
Moises
M
Wood
Richard J
RJ
Volek
Jeff S
JS
Fernandez
Maria Luz
ML
D000368:Aged; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL / Q000097:blood; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000097:blood; D016207:Cytokines / Q000097:blood* / Q000502:physiology; D004032:Diet; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D018836:Inflammation Mediators / Q000097:blood*; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors; D027843:Vitis; D016138:Walking / Q000502:physiology*
D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D016207:Cytokines; D018836:Inflammation Mediators; D008055:Lipids