Effect of Cranberry and Agaves Extract on Microbiota and Intestinal Health

It is now recognized that overweight individuals have altered microbiota which could lead to intestinal barrier defects and chronic inflammation disorders. Polyphenols such as Proanthocyanidins may modulate the gut microbiota thereby providing beneficial effects on metabolic health. Inulin is a well known prebiotic that could stimulate growth of favorable bacteria in the gut.

The overall goal is to determine the efficacy and synergy of a supplement of polyphenols from cranberry extract with or without a supplement of inulin from agaves to reduce chronic inflammation and endotoxemia and to improve glucose metabolism and insulin sensitivity by modulating microbiota of overweight human subjects with metabolic syndrome symptoms.

Inclusion criteria

• overweight (BMI 25-39.9 kg/m2) or waist circumference ≥ 80 cm (women) and ≥94 cm (men)
• fasting insulin over 60 pmol/L or fasting glucose 5.6 - 6.9 mmol/L
• at least one of the following criteria: Tg ≥ 1.7 mmol/L; blood pressure ≥ 130/85 mmHg; HDL < 0,9 mmol/L; hsCRP 1-10 mg/L
• non-smoking
• eating fruits and vegetables less then 5 portions/day

Exclusion criteria

• chronic disease
• taking drugs or natural health products that could affect glucose or lipid metabolism
• taking anti-inflammatory, antiacids
• taking pre or probiotics
• inflammatory bowel disease
• antibiotics in the past 3 months
• allergy or intolerance to cranberries or agaves
• Major surgery in the past 3 months