Effects of Montmorency Tart Cherry Supplementation on Cardio-Metabolic Markers in Metabolic Syndrome Participants: a pilot study

Abstract

This study compared acute supplementation of Montmorency tart cherries in capsule (MTCC) and juice (MTCJ) forms in MetS humans, as potential prophylactic interventions against cardio-metabolic diseases. In an acute, single-blind, placebo-controlled, randomised, crossover trial, eleven participants with MetS (49 ± 12 years; 6M/5F), consumed one bolus of MTCC, MTCJ or placebo (PLA) on different occasions. Blood-based and functional cardio-metabolic biomarkers were measured pre-bolus and up to 5 h post-bolus. MTCJ significantly reduced systolic blood pressure compared to PLA at 2-h post-bolus (P = 0.018). Insulin was significantly lower with MTCC (P = 0.016) and MTCJ (P = 0.028) than PLA at 1-h and 3-h post-bolus, respectively. No significant differences between MTCC and MTCJ were seen. This study demonstrated for the first time that MTCC could reduce insulin concentrations in humans. Importantly, MTCJ induced a clinically relevant reduction in systolic blood pressure and also lowered insulin compared to PLA, in MetS humans.