Elderberry juice promotes gut health and shows promise in fighting obesity

Research reveals that it is rich in anthocyanins Elderberry Juicing improves glucose regulation, promotes fat oxidation, and promotes beneficial health. intestinal flora Changes in overweight adults.

study: One-week elderberry juice intervention enhances fecal microbiota and suggests improved glucose tolerance and fatty acid oxidation in randomized controlled trial. Image credit: domnitsky/Shutterstock.com

In a recent study published in nutrientsA group of researchers investigated whether anthocyanin-rich elderberry juice (EBJ) modulates the gut microbiome, enhances glucose regulation, and improves fat oxidation in overweight or obese adults in a randomized study. Evaluated through a placebo-controlled study.

background

More than 70% of adults in the United States are overweight or obese, and obesity rates are projected to reach 48-55% by 2050. Effective dietary strategies to reduce cardiometabolic complications emphasize foods rich in bioactivity, such as polyphenol-rich fruits and vegetables. Mediterranean style meal.

Anthocyanins, a subclass of flavonoids, have demonstrated potential in the management of obesity-related conditions such as diabetes, dyslipidemia, and cardiovascular disease through mechanisms such as intestinal regulation. microbiome Promotes fat and muscle metabolism.

Despite promising evidence from rodent models and small human trials, further research is needed to identify optimal anthocyanin types and doses to improve metabolic health and obesity outcomes. .

About research

Male and female participants, ages 22 to 75 years, were recruited from the Spokane, Washington area through various advertising channels, including social media, flyers, and electronic forums. Eligibility was assessed using a health questionnaire, blood chemistry analysis, and anthropometry.

Exclusion criteria included pregnancy, body mass index (BMI) less than 25 kg/m2, intolerance to elderberry, gastrointestinal disorders, certain medications, type 2 diabetes requiring prescription management, or recent significant weight change. Contains.

Participants provided written informed consent and maintained their habitual diet for the duration of the study, discontinued most nutritional supplements, and consumed polyphenol-rich foods such as berries, red fruits and vegetables, and dark legumes. agreed to avoid. This study protocol was approved by the Washington State University (WSU) Institutional Review Board and registered with ClinicalTrials.gov.

This randomized, placebo (PL)-controlled crossover study included two 1-week treatment periods separated by a 3-week washout period. Participants consumed 355 g of EBJ or PL for flavor and appearance per day, equivalent to 720 mg of cyanidin-3-glucoside per day.

Compliance was monitored by questionnaires and returned food and beverage containers. To minimize variability, participants were placed on a controlled diet for the last four days of each treatment period consisting of prepackaged meals with a macronutrient content of 40% carbohydrate, 40% fat, and 20% protein. I obeyed.

Testing includes indirect calorimetry, dietary challenge testing (MTT), and microbiome analysis. Outcomes such as blood sugar levels, insulin concentrations, energy expenditure, and gut microbiota composition were evaluated. Statistical significance was determined at a p value less than 0.05.

Research results

Participants for this study were recruited from February 2023 to April 2024. Of the 83 volunteer candidates who attended the information session, 53 were not included in the follow-up survey. Thirty people provided written informed consent, but six later declined to participate.

Twenty-four participants were screened and five were excluded because they did not meet inclusion criteria. Nineteen participants were randomly enrolled into the study, but one later withdrew due to noncompliance, leaving 18 participants who completed the protocol.

Compliance with test beverage consumption monitored by questionnaire and returned containers was 100%. Both EBJ and PL treatments were shown to be well tolerated, as no participants reported gastrointestinal upset or difficulty adhering to a controlled diet.

Indirect calorimetry results showed that there were significant differences in substrate oxidation during MTT. The mean respiratory quotient (RQ) was lower in EBJ compared to PL (0.86 vs. 0.89, p=0.031), which was associated with decreased carbohydrate oxidation (25.6 vs. 30.0g, p=0.021) and increased fatty acid oxidation (10.2 8.03g). , p = 0.038).

No significant difference was observed in energy expenditure (202 kcal vs. 200 kcal, p = 0.611). During treadmill walking, RQ remained significantly lower in EBJ (0.89 vs. 0.91, p = 0.038), and changes in carbohydrate and fat oxidation during exercise were marginally significant, but showed increased fatty acid oxidation. Ta. Treatment order did not affect these results.

Glycemic and insulin response curves from MTT showed that EBJ reduced the incremental area under the glucose curve (iAUC) by 24% (p = 0.041). Insulin iAUC decreased by 9.9% after EBJ, but did not reach statistical significance (p = 0.062).

Analysis of the fecal microbiota revealed dynamic changes at the phylum level. Although both treatments decreased Bacteroidetes and increased Firmicutes, the effect was more pronounced and statistically significant in EBJ. The abundance of actinobacteria was numerically increased by EBJ (p = 0.16).

EBJ also increased significantly Ruminococcaceae and Bifidobacterium, while reducing Bacteroides and Alistipes. These findings suggest a possible microbiota-mediated mechanism for the observed metabolic benefits of EBJ.

conclusion

In summary, this study evaluated the effects of EBJ on glucose tolerance, energy metabolism, and gut microbiota using a randomized, placebo-controlled, crossover design with 18 participants. EBJ provided 720 mg/day of cyanidin-based anthocyanins, which was well tolerated.

Results showed a 24% decrease in glucose response, increased fatty acid oxidation, and moderate changes in the gut microbiota, including increases in Firmicutes and Bifidobacteria. These findings are consistent with previous berry studies and suggest potential metabolic benefits of EBJ.