Intake Duration Effects of New Zealand Blackcurrant Extract on Cardiovascular Responses During Moderate Intensity Exercise in Males (P23-015-19).

Abstract

Objectives\nNew Zealand blackcurrant (NZBC) is an anthocyanin-rich berry with potential effects on cardiovascular health (e.g., 7-day NZBC extract lowered total peripheral resistance at rest). We examined effects of 7- and 14-day intake of NZBC extract on cardiovascular responses during moderate intensity exercise.\n\n\nMethods\nFifteen healthy men (mean\xa0±\xa0SD, age: 24\xa0±\xa06 yr, body mass: 79\xa0±\xa016 kg, height: 178\xa0±\xa06 cm, BMI: 24.7\xa0±\xa04.3 kg·m-2, IPAQ score: 4534\xa0±\xa01576 MET·week-1) volunteered. Resting metabolic equivalent (1-MET) was measured using Douglas bags (1-MET: 3.97\xa0±\xa00.66 ml·kg-1·min-1) with an incremental walking test to determine the relationship between walking speed and MET. A randomised, cross-over experimental design was used for baseline, 7-day and 14-day intake. Participants consumed 2 capsules of NZBC extract (600 mg and containing 210 mg of anthocyanins, CurraNZ™ Health Currancy Ltd., UK) with breakfast with a 14-day washout. On the morning of testing, the final 2 capsules were ingested 2-hr before the 30-min walk at 4 (n\xa0=\xa03) or 5 (n\xa0=\xa012) METs (speed: 5.68\xa0±\xa00.67 km·hr-1). Cardiovascular responses were measured at 7-10, 17-20 and 27-30 min during the walk (Portapres Model 2), averaged and analysed (ANOVA and post-hoc t-tests).\n\n\nResults\nIntake duration had no effect on heart rate (e.g., baseline: 102\xa0±\xa018 beats·min-1), systolic blood pressure (e.g., baseline 158\xa0±\xa018 mm Hg) and ejection time (e.g., baseline: 0.28\xa0±\xa00.03 s). Cardiac output (baseline: 11.7\xa0±\xa02.0, 7-day: 12.7\xa0±\xa02.5, 14-day: 12.7\xa0±\xa02.1 L·min-1, P\xa0=\xa00.012) and stroke volume (baseline: 114\xa0±\xa013, 7-day: 123\xa0±\xa022, 14-day: 126\xa0±\xa021 mL·min-1, P\xa0=\xa00.017) were increased, and total peripheral resistance (baseline: 0.51\xa0±\xa00.11, 7-day: 0.46\xa0±\xa00.17, 14-day: 0.44\xa0±\xa00.12 mmHg·L-1·min-1, P\xa0=\xa00.018) and diastolic blood pressure (baseline 71\xa0±\xa09, 7-day: 66\xa0±\xa010, 14-day: 63\xa0±\xa011 mm Hg, P\xa0=\xa00.002) were lower for 7- and 14-day intake. Only 14-day intake resulted in lower mean arterial pressure (baseline: 93\xa0±\xa010, 7-day: 89\xa0±\xa09, 14-day: 87\xa0±\xa011 mm Hg, P\xa0=\xa00.034).\n\n\nConclusions\nBeneficial effects of anthocyanin-rich NZBC extract intake on cardiovascular responses during moderate intensity exercise do not require long-duration intake.\n\n\nFunding Sources\nHealth Currancy (UK) Ltd and CurraNZ (NZ) Ltd provided supplements and support for conference attendance with Blackcurrant New Zealand Inc. (NZ).