Cranberry Juice and Cardiovascular Disease

The Influence Of Cranberry Juice On Risk Factors For Cardiovascular Disease

Previous studies have shown that consumption of a low calorie cranberry beverage imparts a favorable impact on HDL cholesterol, LDL oxidation, and cell adhesion molecules in men. However, these studies were not well controlled. Thus, it is important to confirm these effects in a blinded, placebo-controlled feeding study. The investigators goal is to verify the cardioprotective effects of cranberries by conducting a dietary intervention trial with healthy subjects in a controlled environment.

Inclusion Criteria:

• 25 to 65 years of age
• BMI 20 to 38 kg/m2

Exclusion Criteria:

• history of bariatric or certain other surgeries related to weight control
• kidney disease, liver disease, certain cancers, gout, hyperthyroidism, untreated or unstable hypothyroidism, gastrointestinal disease, pancreatic disease, other metabolic diseases, or malabsorption syndromes
• Type 2 diabetes or use of glucose-lowering medication
• Have a fasting blood sugar greater than 126 mg/dL
• LDL-cholesterol less than 130 mg/dL
• fasting triglycerides greater than 300 mg/dL
• use of cholesterol-lowering medication or supplements
• use of blood pressure-lowering medication
• smoking or use of other tobacco products (within 6 months prior to the start of the study)
• unwillingness to abstain from vitamin, mineral, and herbal supplements for 2 weeks prior to the study and during the study
• use antibiotics during the study,or for 3 weeks prior to starting the study.
• history of eating disorders or other dietary patterns which are not consistent with the dietary intervention (e.g., vegetarians, very low fat diets, high protein diets)
• weight loss of >/= 10% of your body weight within the last 12 months or plan to initiate a weight loss program during the next 10 months
• inability to eat cranberries
• inability or unwillingness to give informed consent or communicate with study staff
• self-reported history of alcohol or substance abuse within the past 12 months and/or are currently in treatment or rehabilitation program for these problems (long-term participation in Alcoholics Anonymous is not an exclusion)
• other medical, psychiatric, or behavioral factors that in the judgment of the Principal Investigator may interfere with study participation or the ability to follow the intervention protocol