IMPACT OF OSMODEHYDRATED ANDEAN BERRY (VACCINIUM MERIDIONALE SWARTZ) ON OVERWEIGHT ADULTS

Background: Andean berry (Vaccinium meridionale Swartz) is a native Colombian berry with potential health benefit comparable to cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon), both rich in phenolic compounds with a wide range of biological activities. Objectives: to evaluate the effect of Andean berry consumption on blood biochemical parameters (lipid profile and glucose), anthropometric parameters (body weight, waist circumference, body mass index or BMI) and blood pressure of overweight adults. Methods: glycemia, total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol and total triglycerides in blood serum, body weight, size and waist perimeter, and blood pressure were analyzed in 25 overweight adults at day 1 and 21 after consumption of 35 g/day of osmodehydrated Andean berry. Results: a significant reduction in diastolic blood pressure (10%, p = 0.0388), systolic blood pressure (6%, p = 0.0400), BMI (1.7%, p = 0.0306), weight (2%, p = 0.0388) and waist circumference (4.1%, p = 0.0052) were observed in the participants who completed the study. However, the lipid profile did not have a significant effect, the glycemia increased significantly (6.9%, p = 0.0004). Conclusions: the results of the present study suggest that the regular consumption of Andean berry treated by osmotic dehydration is a food that may help control weight and blood pressure; however, it requires another type of osmotic agent to prevent the increase of glycemia.