title: An encapsulated juice powder concentrate improves markers of pulmonary function and cardiovascular risk factors in heavy smokers.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Cigarette smoking is associated with reduced pulmonary function and increased risk factors for cardiovascular disease. This randomized placebo-controlled double-blind study evaluated the effects of two different combinations of mixed fruit and vegetable juice powder concentrate (Juice Plus+, NSA, Collierville, TN) on heavy smokers.
  
  
  METHODS
  At baseline (T 0) and after 3 months' supplementation (T 1), pulmonary function parameters and cardiovascular risk factors-that is, plasma total homocysteine (tHcy) with related B vitamins and cysteine (tCys) concentrations-were assessed in 75 apparently healthy smokers (aged 49.2 ± 10.6 years, >20 cigarettes/d, duration ≥10 years) randomized into 3 groups: placebo (P), fruit/vegetable (FV) and fruit/vegetable/berry (FVB).
  
  
  RESULTS
  T 0: most smokers showed abnormalities in tHcy and tCys concentrations. T 1: respiratory function was unchanged in P and slightly, but not significantly, improved in FV, whereas FVB showed a significant improvement in forced expiratory flow at 25% (FEF25; p < 0.0001 vs P and FV) and significant improvement in CO diffusion lung/alveolar volume (DLCO/VA). FV and FVB (50%) showed significant reduction in tHcy and tCys compared to T 0 ( p < 0.0001) and P ( p < 0.0001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  At T 1, both supplemented groups, but to a greater extent the FVB group, showed improvements in some pulmonary parameters, cardiovascular risk factors, and folate status. The beneficial effects of Juice Plus+ supplementation could potentially help smokers, even if smoking cessation is advisable.
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento Scienze Mediche, Università degli Studi di Milano, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy. fabrizia.bamonti@unimi.it
authors.forename: Fabrizia
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Bamonti
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pellegatta
authors.forename: Cristina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Novembrino
authors.forename: Luisella
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Vigna
authors.forename: Rachele
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: De Giuseppe
authors.forename: Federica
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: de Liso
authors.forename: Dario
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Gregori
authors.forename: Cinzia Della
authors.initials: CD
authors.lastname: Noce
authors.forename: Lorenzo
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Patrini
authors.forename: Gianfranco
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Schiraldi
authors.forename: Paola
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Bonara
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Calvelli
authors.forename: Rita
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Maiavacca
authors.forename: Giuliana
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Cighetti
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D002214:Capsules; D002248:Carbon Monoxide / Q000378:metabolism; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D003545:Cysteine / Q000097:blood; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D005260:Female; D005492:Folic Acid / Q000097:blood; D005638:Fruit; D006710:Homocysteine / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D008168:Lung / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D028321:Plant Preparations / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011208:Powders; D012119:Respiration; D012307:Risk Factors; D012907:Smoking / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D062789:Tobacco Products; D014675:Vegetables
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D002214:Capsules; D028321:Plant Preparations; D011208:Powders; D006710:Homocysteine; D002248:Carbon Monoxide; D005492:Folic Acid; D003545:Cysteine