Food Anthocyanins and Flavanols as a Strategy for a Healthy Ageing: Cardiovascular Health and Cognitive Performance

Food Anthocyanins and Flavanols as a Strategy for a Healthy Ageing: Cardiovascular Health and Cognitive Performance

The study examines the effect of cocoa flavanols, red-berries anthocyanins or a combination of both on markers of cardiovascular health and cognition.

The study examines the effect of cocoa flavanols, red-berries anthocyanins or a combination of both on markers of cardiovascular health and cognition.

Healthy volunteers are recruited to participate in a parallel study (n 30 per group) for 10 to 12 weeks. Markers of cardiovascular health (FMD, markers of inflammation and fatty acid metabolism) and cognition (neuropsychological tests and plasma neurotrophins) are being measured before and after intervention.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Age 50-85
• BMI 20-32 Kg/m2

Exclusion Criteria:

• Mini-mental state examination (MMSE) < 28
• Systolic blood pressure (SBP) >139 mmHg
• Diastolic blood pressure (DBP) > 89 mmHg
• Total cholesterol > 6.5 mmol/L