Aim:
The primary objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of a fruit, vegetable and berry juice powder concentrate (FVB) on oxidation, inflammation, and skin microcirculation in overweight and obese women compared to placebo. Additional goals were to determine the effect of a single bout of exercise on microcirculation and to assess whether this exercise generated oxidative stress.
Methods:
At baseline and at the end of this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, 42 overweight and obese, non-smoking, sedentary pre-menopausal women performed a 30-minute exercise test at an intensity of 70% of VO2max. Throughout the study period, they were administered either FVB (Juice Plus+®; 3 capsules twice daily) or placebo for 8 weeks. Study participants were instructed to maintain their normal diet and lifestyle for the length of the study.
Blood samples were taken before and after the exercise test at baseline and after 8 weeks of supplementation and analyzed for markers of oxidative stress (carbonyl proteins, oxidised LDL cholesterol, total oxidation status of lipids, and malondialdehyde) and inflammation (TNF-alpha and IL-6). Markers of microcirculation (capillary blood flow, oxygen saturation of hemoglobin, and the relative concentration of hemoglobin) were assessed at a skin depth of 2mm.
Results:
Compared to the placebo group, the treatment group had a significant reduction in carbonyl proteins, oxidised LDL, total oxidation status of lipids, and TNF-alpha. In addition, the FVB group experienced a significant increase in all measured markers of skin microcirculation compared to the placebo group. In both groups, moderate exercise significantly increased two markers of circulation — capillary blood flow and relative concentration of hemoglobin — but it did not affect oxidation or inflammation.
Conclusion:
“The overall result from the present study is that 8 weeks of supplementation with an encapsulated fruit, vegetable and berry concentrate decreased the oxidation of proteins and lipids in plasma and reduced low-grade inflammation in overweight and obese women compared with the placebo group. Furthermore, FVB supplementation and 30 min of aerobic walking exercise complemented each other to promote the microcirculation in the skin. In addition, we demonstrated that this population does not suffer oxidative damage or inflammation after 70% VO2max walking intensity over 30 min”.
PubMed link:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23591157/