Tart cherry juice consumed daily for 4 weeks does not impair or exacerbate biomarkers of metabolic function in at‑risk overweight and obese subjects: A randomized, crossover pilot study

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Abstract
Currently, there is a worldwide epidemic of obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular disease (CVD), largely due to increased dietary caloric intake. A number of scientists and experts assert that the increased consumption of caloric sugar‑sweetened beverages (SSBs) has significantly contributed to the risk of developing chronic disease, particularly obesity, since the worldwide consumption of sucrose has tripled over the past 50 years. With these trends, perturbations in metabolic biomarkers have often been noted. Thus, the present study examined whether the consumption of 8 oz/day (240 ml/day) of 100% tart cherry juice (TCJ) would adversely affect metabolic parameters in at‑risk individuals. The present study was a 10‑week 2x2 crossover, randomized, placebo‑controlled dietary intervention in overweight and obese participants (BMI ≥25.0 kg/m2). Participants were randomly assigned to consume for 4 weeks either 100% TCJ (240 ml/day) or a generic fruit punch followed by a 2‑week washout and subsequent consumption of the alternate beverage for an additional 4 weeks. Comprehensive metabolic panels (hepatic and renal function), anthropometric measures, and food intake and physical activity questionnaires were collected and analyzed at 0, 4, 6 and 10 weeks. No significant alterations (P>0.05) in hepatic or renal function were noted from the start to the end of the study when comparing the TCJ to the placebo group. Moreover, there were no significant changes (P>0.05) in fasting blood glucose concentrations between pre‑ and post‑consumption time points for either the placebo or TCJ groups. Dietary intake and physical activity levels were similar among all groups. In addition, no changes in body composition (percent body fat, lean body mass, etc.) or BMI were noted after 4 weeks of beverage consumption. It was thus concluded that 100% TCJ does not exacerbate already existing risk factors in an at‑risk population and does not adversely affect hepatic or renal function.

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