Blueberry Protein Interaction Study
Consuming polyphenol-rich foods is associated with reduced risk of numerous chronic diseases. However, consumption of fruit and vegetables, the primary source of dietary polyphenols, is low in the US. Furthermore, polyphenols have poor bioavailability, due in part to their instability in the gastrointestinal tract. Dietary proteins can interact with polyphenols through covalent and non-covalent interactions, increasing their bioavailability. This study evaluated whether co-consumption of blueberries with different dietary proteins influences circulating polyphenol metabolites. We performed a randomized, single-blind, controlled, crossover acute dietary intervention to examine the effects of co-consuming whey, hemp, or pea protein with blueberries on circulating polyphenol metabolites in healthy adults. Participants consumed four treatments in random order on separate test days with one week of washout between test days: 15 g of whey, pea, or hemp protein powder with 22 g freeze-dried blueberry powder and 300 mL of water or blueberry powder alone with 300 mL of water. On test days, blood draws and hemodynamics measurements were performed at baseline (0 hours) and 1, 2, 4, and 6 hours postprandially, with a final blood draw at 24 hours. Plasma blueberry polyphenol metabolites were quantified using targeted UHPLC-MS/MS. There were significant differences in numerous plasma polyphenol metabolites. Co-consumption of blueberries with hemp protein significantly increased plasma concentrations of chlorogenic acid, 3-hydroxybenaldehyde, and ferulic acid derivatives, among others when compared to whey with blueberry powder at the 2 hour timepoint. Blueberry with hemp protein also significantly increased plasma levels of 2,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid at 6- and 24-hour time points compared to all other treatments, including blueberry powder without protein. These findings suggest that hemp protein may enhance blueberry polyphenol absorption in the upper gastrointestinal tract and facilitate gut microbial metabolism in the lower gastrointestinal tract. Further research is needed to evaluate health implications. This trial is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov as NCT05967897.
Consuming polyphenol-rich foods is associated with reduced risk of numerous chronic diseases. However, consumption of fruit and vegetables, the primary source of dietary polyphenols, is low in the US. Furthermore, polyphenols have poor bioavailability, due in part to their instability in the gastrointestinal tract. Dietary proteins can interact with polyphenols through covalent and non-covalent interactions, increasing their bioavailability. This study evaluated whether co-consumption of blueberries with different dietary proteins influences circulating polyphenol metabolites. We performed a randomized, single-blind, controlled, crossover acute dietary intervention to examine the effects of co-consuming whey, hemp, or pea protein with blueberries on circulating polyphenol metabolites in healthy adults. Participants consumed four treatments in random order on separate test days with one week of washout between test days: 15 g of whey, pea, or hemp protein powder with 22 g freeze-dried blueberry powder and 300 mL of water or blueberry powder alone with 300 mL of water. On test days, blood draws and hemodynamics measurements were performed at baseline (0 hours) and 1, 2, 4, and 6 hours postprandially, with a final blood draw at 24 hours. Plasma blueberry polyphenol metabolites were quantified using targeted UHPLC-MS/MS. There were significant differences in numerous plasma polyphenol metabolites. Co-consumption of blueberries with hemp protein significantly increased plasma concentrations of chlorogenic acid, 3-hydroxybenaldehyde, and ferulic acid derivatives, among others when compared to whey with blueberry powder at the 2 hour timepoint. Blueberry with hemp protein also significantly increased plasma levels of 2,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid at 6- and 24-hour time points compared to all other treatments, including blueberry powder without protein. These findings suggest that hemp protein may enhance blueberry polyphenol absorption in the upper gastrointestinal tract and facilitate gut microbial metabolism in the lower gastrointestinal tract. Further research is needed to evaluate health implications. This trial is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov as NCT05967897.
Colorado State University