Effects of Oral Fruit Concentrate Supplementation on Cardiometabolic Parameters.

Cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes mellitus and associated diseases combined are the leading health burden and cause of mortality worldwide; therefore, the necessity for an intervention is paramount. Dietary interventions to improve cardiometabolic health are highly sought after as they possess less risk than pharmacological drugs. Anthocyanins, found in high quantities in both tart cherries and blueberries are powerful antioxidants, that are potentially capable of improving cardiometabolic dysfunction. However, to date, no research has explored the cardiometabolic responses to tart cherry and blueberry supplementation. Therefore, the primary purpose of the proposed investigation is to test the ability of oral tart cherry and blueberry supplementation to improve cardiometabolic parameters in healthy individuals.

Fruit (cherry or blueberry concentrate) supplement from a company named Active-Edge (https://active-edge.co.uk/).

Estimated daily calorie usage (Kcal) at rest - obtained using a metabolic cart through indirect calorimetry.

Estimated daily calorie usage (Kcal) at rest - obtained using a metabolic cart through indirect calorimetry.

% contribution of carbohydrate to daily calories - at rest - obtained using a metabolic cart through indirect calorimetry.

% contribution of carbohydrate to daily calories - at rest - obtained using a metabolic cart through indirect calorimetry.

% contribution of fats to daily calories - at rest - obtained using a metabolic cart through indirect calorimetry.

% contribution of fats to daily calories - at rest - obtained using a metabolic cart through indirect calorimetry.

Estimated calorie usage (Kcal) during low-moderate intensity walking exercise - obtained using a metabolic cart through indirect calorimetry.

Estimated calorie usage (Kcal) during low-moderate intensity walking exercise - obtained using a metabolic cart through indirect calorimetry.

% contribution of fats to calorie expenditure - during low-moderate intensity walking exercise - obtained using a metabolic cart through indirect calorimetry.

% contribution of fats to calorie expenditure - during low-moderate intensity walking exercise - obtained using a metabolic cart through indirect calorimetry.

% contribution of carbohydrates to calorie expenditure - during low intensity walking exercise - obtained using a metabolic cart through indirect calorimetry.

% contribution of carbohydrates to calorie expenditure - during low intensity walking exercise - obtained using a metabolic cart through indirect calorimetry.

Psychological wellbeing - The Coop-Wonka chart is a six item questionnaire with a 1-5 scoring system for each thus the chart has a maximum score of 30 which indicates the lowest possible psychological Wellbeing.

Psychological wellbeing - The Coop-Wonka chart is a six item questionnaire with a 1-5 scoring system for each thus the chart has a maximum score of 30 which indicates the lowest possible psychological Wellbeing.

Psychological wellbeing - the Beck Depression Inventory is a 21 questionnaire with questions that range in scoring from 0-3, thus the maximum score is 63 which is the highest depression score possible.

Psychological wellbeing - the Beck Depression Inventory is a 21 questionnaire with questions that range in scoring from 0-3, thus the maximum score is 63 which is the highest depression score possible.

Psychological wellbeing - the state trait anxiety inventory is a 40 item questionnaire with each question having a 1-4 score system, thus the maximum score is 80 which indicates the highest level of anxiety.

Psychological wellbeing - the state trait anxiety inventory is a 40 item questionnaire with each question having a 1-4 score system, thus the maximum score is 80 which indicates the highest level of anxiety.

Sleep quality - The Insomnia Severity Index is a brief instrument designed to assess the severity of both nighttime and daytime components of insomnia. The Insomnia Severity Index is a 7-item self-report questionnaire yielding a total score ranging from 0 to 28.

Sleep quality - The Insomnia Severity Index is a brief instrument designed to assess the severity of both nighttime and daytime components of insomnia. The Insomnia Severity Index is a 7-item self-report questionnaire yielding a total score ranging from 0 to 28.

Sleep quality - The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality index, is a questionnaire that consists of 19 self-rated questions, grouped into 7 components. Each component is scored separately, weighted equally on a 0 - 3 scale and the scores of the 7 components are then added to give a global score, which has a range of 0 - 21 with higher scores indicating worse sleep quality.

Sleep quality - The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality index, is a questionnaire that consists of 19 self-rated questions, grouped into 7 components. Each component is scored separately, weighted equally on a 0 - 3 scale and the scores of the 7 components are then added to give a global score, which has a range of 0 - 21 with higher scores indicating worse sleep quality.

Sleep quality - The Epworth Sleepiness Scale is a self-administered questionnaire with 8 questions. Respondents are asked to rate, on a 4-point scale (0-3) with a maximum score of 24.

Sleep quality - The Epworth Sleepiness Scale is a self-administered questionnaire with 8 questions. Respondents are asked to rate, on a 4-point scale (0-3) with a maximum score of 24.

Inclusion Criteria: Healthy 18 years of age and above Non-smoker BMI < 30 Able to give informed consent Exclusion Criteria: Pregnancy Diabetes or any other metabolic/ uncontrolled hypertensive conditions Food allergies to cherries or blueberries Habitual consumption of blueberries/ cherries and/or blueberry/ cherry products Not regularly taking medication or antioxidant supplements

Sinclair J, Shadwell G, Dillon S, Allan R, Butters B, Bottoms L. Effects of Montmorency Tart Cherry and Blueberry Juice on Cardiometabolic Outcomes in Healthy Individuals: Protocol for a 3-Arm Placebo Randomized Controlled Trial. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2021 Sep 16;18(18):9759. doi: 10.3390/ijerph18189759.