To explore whether the benefits of fruits and vegetables, when concentrated into capsules, can help improve endothelial function (the ability of blood vessels to dilate properly) and other measures of heart health in overweight men. Fruits and vegetables are high in antioxidants such as beta carotene and vitamins C and E, which are thought to help blood vessels dilate properly.
Further Study Details:
This study examined the effects of 8 weeks of daily ingestion of Juice Plus+® capsules (fruit/vegetable juice concentrates) on endothelial function and biomarkers of oxidative stress in overweight men. The PRC randomly assigned 70 participants to receive one of two treatments: (1) Juice Plus+® containing Orchard, Garden and Vineyard blends or (2) placebo. Participants received their assigned treatment twice daily for 8 weeks, and were instructed to take their treatment at approximately the same time each day. They were evaluated at 2 time points: at baseline, and upon completion of the sustained treatment assignment.
Findings:
Findings will be available in early 2011.
Eligibility:
Healthy men aged 25 to 75 years; overweight (BMI at least 25; waist circumference at least 102 cm); non-smoker; no history of diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular disease, eating disorder, substance abuse, or endothelial dysfunction with a high-fat meal
Yale-Griffin Prevention Research Center