Bolus consumption of a specifically designed fruit juice rich in anthocyanins and ascorbic acid did not influence markers of antioxidative defense in healthy humans.
Exotic fruits such as açai, camu-camu, and blackberries rich in natural antioxidants (ascorbic acid, anthocyanins) are marketed as "functional" foods supporting a pro-/antioxidant balance. Confirming data from human studies are lacking. Within a randomized controlled crossover trial, 12 healthy nonsmokers ingested 400 mL of a blended juice of these fruits or a sugar solution (control). Blood was drawn before and afterward to determine antioxidants in plasma, markers of antioxidant capacity [trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity, Folin-Ciocalteu reducing capacity, total oxidant scavenging capacity (TOSC)] and oxidative stress [isoprostane, DNA strand breaks in leukocytes in vivo], and their resistance versus H₂O₂-induced strand breaks. Compared with sugar solution, juice consumption increased plasma ascorbic acid and maintained TOSC and partly Folin-Ciocalteu reducing capacity (both P values < 0.05). Strand breaks in vivo increased after ingestion of both beverages (P < 0.001), probably due to postprandial and/or circadian effects. This anthocyanin-rich fruit juice may stabilize the pro-/antioxidant balance in healthy nonsmokers without affecting markers of oxidative stress.
Department of Nutrition and Food Sciences, Nutritional Physiology, University of Bonn, Endenicher Allee 11-13, 53115 Bonn, Germany. ellinger@uni-bonn.de
Sabine
S
Ellinger
André
A
Gordon
Mira
M
Kürten
Elvira
E
Jungfer
Benno F
BF
Zimmermann
Berndt
B
Zur
Jörg
J
Ellinger
Friedhelm
F
Marx
Peter
P
Stehle
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000872:Anthocyanins / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*; D001205:Ascorbic Acid / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*; D001628:Beverages / Q000032:analysis*; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis* / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D005638:Fruit / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism; D055951:Functional Food / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018384:Oxidative Stress; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*; D055815:Young Adult
D000872:Anthocyanins; D000975:Antioxidants; D015415:Biomarkers; D010936:Plant Extracts; D001205:Ascorbic Acid