The Effect of Tart Cherry (Prunus Cerasus) Concentrate on Physiological and Cognitive Function

The Effect of Tart Cherry (Prunus Cerasus) Concentrate on Cardiometabolic Risk Factors, Exercise Capacity and Cognitive Function

A randomized, double blind, counterbalanced, placebo controlled independent groups design to determine the effects of 3 month supplementation with tart cherry concentrate on indices of cardiometabolic health, exercise capacity and cognitive function. Following screening and recruitment, participants are familiarised with the testing equipment and procedures after which they will be randomly assigned to receive either Montmorency tart cherry concentrate (MC) or an isocaloric placebo (PLA), stratified by gender. The study is comprised of two experimental visits and outcome variables are assessed at baseline (before supplementation) and at 3 months (follow up; after supplementation).

Inclusion Criteria:

• Healthy individuals between the ages of 40-60 years
• consume on average ≤5 servings of fruits and vegetables per day
• additionally have ≥1 risk factor for type 2 diabetes

Exclusion Criteria:

• not regularly taking medication (or stabilised ≥ 3 months, with no adverse symptoms) or antioxidant supplements
• history of cardiometabolic, gastointestinal disease or malabsorption syndromes
• stage 2 hypertension (SBP >159 mm Hg or DBP >99 mm Hg)
• individuals who report changes in dietary or physical activity patterns within 3 months
• vegetarians, vegans or known eating disorders
• alcohol intake of more than 21 units per week
• BMI ≥40 kg/m2
• are pregnant or planning to become pregnant during the study, lactating, or initiating or changing a hormone replacement therapy regimen within 3 months of the start of the study