Chinese bayberry, one of six Myrica species native to China, is rich in anthocyanins, and cyanidin-3-O-glucoside (C3G) was identified as a major anthocyanin component. In previous animal studies from us and other investigators, anthocyanins have been shown to ameliorate dyslipidemia and hepatic steatosis in different rodent models. The aim of the present study was to examine the effects of Chinese bayberry juice (CBJ) on the serum lipid profile and on levels of biomarkers related to antioxidant status in young adults with features of fatty liver disease.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Subject inclusion criteria were age 18-25 y,
• BMI [body weight divided by height squared (in kg/m2)] > 23,
• lack of excessive alcohol ingestion confirmed by careful questioning by the primary physician and dietitians (consumption of less than 70 g alcohol in female and 140 g in male per week), and
• the presence of two of the three following diagnostic criteria of the fatty liver disease: increased hepatic echogenicity compared to the spleen or the kidneys, blurring of liver vasculature and deep attenuation of the ultrasonographic signal.

Exclusion Criteria:

• overuse of alcohol,
• viral hepatitis,
• type 1 or 2 diabetes,
• gastrointestinal or connective diseases,
• chronic pancreatitis,
• liver cirrhosis,
• kidney stones, or renal failure;
• use of acetyl-salicylic acid or other antiplatelet drugs, statins of fibrates, oral hypoglycemic drugs, nitrates, nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs, corticosteroids, or drugs interfering with coagulation;
• supplementation with vitamins or antioxidants.