Daily Intake of Recommended Servings of Fruit Improves Nutrient Intake but Shows no Major - Effect on Cardiovascular Health or Cognition in Low Fruit Consumers

Background

Research has demonstrated that fruit consumption may benefit cardiometabolic health, cognition, and motor function; however, consumption among American adults falls well below the recommended intake of 2 cups per day.

Objectives

The hypothesis of the study was that consuming 2 cups of fruits, as recommended by the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, would improve cardiometabolic health, cognition, and motor function.

Methods

A total of 40 healthy men and women aged 30–70 y were assigned to consume 2-cup equivalents (2C) of fruits per day and to restrict fruit (RF) intake to <½ cup in a 2-period, 8-wk randomized crossover trial, with an 8-wk washout period. Anthropometrics, blood pressure, cardiometabolic biomarkers, brachial artery flow-mediated dilation, cognition, motor function, and balance measurements were assessed before and after each trial.

Results

Insulin concentrations and insulin resistance were significantly lower, and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels were significantly higher after the RF trial compared with the 2C trial. Processing speed scores increased during both trials, whereas 9-Hole Pegboard performance of the dominant hand improved during the 2C trial only. Energy intake, carbohydrates, fiber, vitamin K, vitamin C, thiamin, magnesium, potassium, copper, total anthocyanins, and total flavonoids intake were higher after the 2C trial compared with the RF trial. Glycemic index was lower and glycemic load was higher during the 2C trial compared with the RF trial.

Conclusions

Daily intake of 2C of fruit for 8 wk did not consistently impact cardiovascular biomarkers, body composition, cognition, or balance in habitually low fruit consumers and minimally impacted motor function; however, it improved intake of certain nutrients. Our findings suggest the need for further investigation into the optimal quantity and composition of fruit intake in diverse populations. As data accumulate, recommendations for fruit intake by the United States Department of Agriculture and the United States Department of Health and Human Services should be revisited and further studied.

This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT05063929.