Anthocyanin-rich dried fruit consumption increases polyphenol excretion and lowers plasma uric acid in coronary artery disease: a randomized trial

It has been suggested that foods abundant in anthocyanins may offer a range of health benefits. This study aimed to assess the effects of anthocyanin-rich dried fruits on cardiometabolic biomarkers and urinary polyphenols in coronary artery disease (CAD) patients.

A randomized, parallel design was employed with CAD patients post-angioplasty (ages 30-75). Participants were assigned to either a control group or a group consuming 30g black raisins, 20g dried sour cherries, and 2g cranberry powder (∼66 mg anthocyanins) for 8 weeks. Urinary total polyphenols, plasma inflammatory factors, uric acid, lipids, insulin, the capacity of apo B-depleted plasma to efflux cholesterol were measured at baseline and following 8 weeks of intervention. Sixty-three patients completed the study (control, n = 32; anthocyanin-rich fruits group, n = 31). Compared to the control, the anthocyanin-rich fruits group exhibited a substantial increase in urinary total polyphenol excretion and a significant reduction in plasma uric acid (mean change and confidence interval: control, 0.2 mg/dL [-0.3, 0.6]; anthocyanin-rich fruits, 1.2 mg/dL [0.7, 1.8]; p < 0.01). This reduction correlated negatively with the change in urinary total flavanols (r = -0.351; p < 0.01). A non-significant tendency toward lower low-density lipoprotein cholesterol in anthocyanin-rich fruits was observed (p = 0.06). No significant between-group differences were found in plasma cholesterol efflux capacity or inflammatory biomarkers.

This study demonstrates that modest anthocyanin intake from selected dried fruits increased urinary polyphenol excretion and reduced plasma uric acid in CAD patients, but did not affect lipid profiles, inflammation, or glycemic indices. Further research is needed to explore the precise mechanisms of action.

NCT05995002, dated 08 August 2023.