Eight weeks of supplementation were also associated with improvements in micro-circulation in the women, according to findings published in the British Journal of Nutrition.
“The overall result from the present study is that 8 weeks of supplementation with an encapsulated fruit, berry and vegetable concentrate decreased the oxidation of proteins and lipids in plasma and reduced low-grade inflammation in overweight and obese women compared with the placebo group,” wrote the authors, led by Manfred Lamprecht from the Medical University of Graz.
The capsules used were the commercially available Juice Plus+ Premium by NSA, LLC, and the Tennessee-based company co-funded the study with the Institute of Nutrient Research and Sport Nutrition (Graz, Austria).
The capsules contain a blend of acerola cherry, apple, bilberry, blackberry, black currant, blueberry, beetroot, broccoli, cabbage, carrot, Concord grape, cranberry, elderberry, kale, orange, peach, papaya, parsley, pineapple, raspberry, red currant, spinach and tomato.
Study details
Lamprecht and his co-workers examined the effects of the fruit, berry, and vegetable juice powder blends on markers of oxidative stress, inflammation, and blood vessel function, all of which are affected by obesity and sedentary lifestyles, they said.
“Increased protein and lipid oxidation, as well as low-grade inflammation, are conditions associated with increased cardiovascular and chronic disease risk,” explained the researchers.
“Obese people are at a higher risk of developing chronic medical conditions, thus making an interesting study population.”
Forty-two obese, pre-menopausal women with an average age of 41 were recruited for the randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. The women were randomly assigned to receive either the Juice Plus+ Premium capsules or placebo for eight weeks. At the start and end of the intervention, all the women underwent a controlled treadmill walking test.
Results showed that markers of oxidation, including levels of carbonyl protein and oxidized LDL cholesterol and the total oxidation status of lipids were significantly decreased. Another marker of oxidative stress, malondialdehyde, was unchanged, said the researchers.
Levels of the inflammatory marker TNF-alpha were also significantly decreased for the juice powder group, compared to placebo, they added.
The juice powder capsules also improved the flow of blood in capillaries, while moderate exercise significantly also improved this in the placebo group.
Source: British Journal of Nutrition
Published online ahead of print, FirstView Articles, doi: 10.1017/S0007114513001001
“Supplementation with a juice powder concentrate and exercise decrease oxidation and inflammation, and improve the microcirculation in obese women: randomised controlled trial data”
Authors: M. Lamprecht, G. Obermayer, K. Steinbauer, G. Cvirn, L. Hofmann, G. Ledinski, J.F. Greilberger, S. Hallstroem