A new study with aronia berry studied the benefits of this fruit on lowering total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol in former smokers.
Over the course of 12 weeks patients received either aronia berry extract or placebo for the potential to lower risk factors of cardiovascular disease.
The primary objective of this clinical trial was to determine if aronia berry extract could reduce cholesterol, oxidative stress and inflammation.
The results were published in the journal Nutrition Research and suggest aronia berry can help lower LDL cholesterol.
Here are the main details of the study
– 49 Human subjects completed the study
– The subjects were former smoker (previously smoked ≥3 cigarettes/day for at least 1 year, cessation for at least 6 months
– The aronia extract was a commercially available ethanolic extract purchased from Artemis International (Fort Wayne, IN, USA) and provided 45.1 mg anthocyanins, 35.7 mg hydroxycinnamic acids, and 41.9 mg proanthocyanidins per 500-mg dose.
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Here are the main results
– Aronia berry extract reduced fasting plasma total cholesterol by 8% after 12 weeks
– Aronia berry extract reduced LDL cholesterol by 11% after 12 weeks
– No changes were observed with lowering blood pressure, lowering of inflammation or lowering of oxidative stress.
Here are some other natural ways to lower cholesterol that have been tested in clinical trials.
Here is what the authors had to say
In conclusion, consumption of 500 mg of aronia berry extract for 12 weeks improved lipid profile of former smokers by reducing plasma TC and LDL-C, but did not change biomarkers of chronic inflammation and oxidative stress.
Take away messsage
There are many different ways to lower high cholesterol including berberine, bergamot, and now aronia berry extract. The results of this study suggest that 500 mg of aronia berry extract per day can help lower total cholesterol by 8% and LDL cholesterol by 11%.
Reference
Xie et al. Aronia berry polyphenol consumption reduces plasma total and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol in former smokers without lowering biomarkers of inflammation and oxidative stress: a randomized controlled trial. Nutrition Research. 2017; Volume 37: pages 67-77
His research on plant medicine has led to more than 45 publications and abstracts.This research has been presented at international meetings in the USA, France, Turkey, Peru, Israel, Austria, and Italy.
Categories: Cholesterol, Clinical Trials, Dietary Supplements, Plant Medicine
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