The Effects of Anthocyanins in the Treatment of Metabolic Syndrome: A Systematic Review

The present study aimed to review studies on anthocyanin consumption and its benefits in three of the parameters of the metabolic syndrome, namely total cholesterol, insulin resistance and blood pressure control. The articles were selected from the SCIELO, PubMed and Science Direct databases. The descriptors that were used in English are anthocyanin, metabolic syndrome, benefits, treatment and based on these descriptors, the following word combinations were investigated: benefits of anthocyanins in metabolic syndrime, treatment of metabolic syndrome with anthocyanins. Selected 9 studies found within the parameters sought, results were obtained in 8 articles demonstrating that anthocyanins can help reduce total cholesterol, 5 proving that beneficial actions occur in decreasing insulin resistance and 6 articles emphasized that ANTs can have effects positive regarding the decrease in blood pressure. It is common to find individuals with at least 1 of the parameters of the metabolic syndrome, the articles found show that it is possible to control and improve some of these parameters through the consumption of antioxidants such as ANTs, however there is a lack of studies relating the benefit of consumption of these antioxidants in these factors of aggravating risk for future cardiovascular problems.