The Health Effects of Blueberry Anthocyanins in Metabolic Syndrome (the CIRCLES-study)

Inclusion criteria

• Men and postmenopausal women (≥ 1 year since last menstruation)
• 50 to 75 years old
• BMI of ≥ 25 kg/m2
• 3 characteristics of metabolic syndrome i.e: Waist circumference ≥ 102 cm for men, ≥ 88 cm for women; Triglycerides ≥ 1.7 mmol/L (or drug treatment for elevated triglycerides); HDL-cholesterol < 1.0 mmol/L for men, < 1.3 mmol/L for women (or drug treatment for low HDL-cholesterol); Blood pressure ≥ 130 mm Hg systolic and/or ≥ 85 mm Hg diastolic blood pressure; Fasting blood glucose ≥ 5.56 mmol/L
• Successful biochemical, haematological and urinalysis assessment at screening

Exclusion criteria

• Current smokers, or ex-smokers ceasing < 6 months ago
• Existing or significant past medical history of vascular disease or medical conditions likely to affect the study measures
• Fructose intolerance or known allergies to the intervention treatments
• On therapeutic diets or having experienced substantial weight loss within 3 months of screening
• Taking flavonoid containing supplements (and unwilling to cease intake during, and 1 month preceding the trial)
• Planning on altering consumption of vitamin supplements / fish oil capsules during the course of the study.
• Prescribed hypoglycaemic, vasodilators or HRT medication.
• Unsatisfactory biochemical, haematological or urinary assessment at screening, or measures considered to be counter indicative for the study
• < 3 characteristics of the metabolic syndrome.

NB: REC approved NoSA granted to include those on anti-hypertensives (29JUL2014)