Polyphenol-Rich Beverage Consumption Affecting Parameters of the Lipid Metabolism in Healthy Subjects

Polyphenols are a diverse and widely distributed class of secondary metabolites, which possess numerous beneficial properties including a modulation of glucose and lipid metabolism. This placebo-controlled human intervention study was performed to explore effects of polyphenol-rich beverage (PRB) uptake on lipid metabolism, as well as DNA integrity. In this case, 36 healthy men were randomly divided to consume either 750 mL of a PRB (containing 51% chokeberry, cranberry, and pomegranate) or a placebo drink daily for eight weeks. Only PRB consumption was found to decrease fat and protein intakes significantly compared to the preceding one-week washout period. During the intervention with PRB an increased fat-free mass was shown after four weeks, whereas a significant elevation in body weight and leptin was observed in placebo group. Blood lipids were not significantly altered after PRB consumption, while triglyceride levels increased after placebo drink intake. In platelets, a significant inhibition of phosphodiesterase (PDE) activity was observed, more pronounced in test group. Consuming the PRB decreased total DNA strand breaks in whole blood as well as H₂O₂-induced breaks in isolated lymphocytes. Overall, our study suggested beneficial effects on lipid metabolism by reduced energy intake, modulation of biomarkers such as PDE activity and improved DNA integrity associated with PRB consumption.