The Postprandial Effect of Anthocyanins on Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors: a Systematic Literature Review of High-Fat Meal Challenge Studies

Recurrent post-prandial metabolic imbalances are important contributing factors to the development of cardiovascular disease (CVD). This study evaluated whether anthocyanin consumption attenuates the deleterious postprandial response of high-fat meals on CVD risk factors including blood pressure, vascular endothelial function, lipid profile and biomarkers related to oxidative stress, antioxidant status and immune response.

Five electronic databases were searched up to the period of 1 February 2020, yielding 13 eligible studies, including randomised or cross-over clinical trials (18–59 years of age), using PRISMA guidelines (PROSPERO registration: CRD42019126265). Potential bias was assessed using the revised Cochrane risk-of-bias tool for randomised trials. Beneficial effects of anthocyanins were reported in biomarkers of oxidative stress and antioxidant status in 6 out of 9 studies, and in 3 out of 6 studies for inflammatory response. Two positive results were found concerning attenuation of post-prandial endothelial dysfunction, increased triacylglycerol and total cholesterol exerted by the high fat meal. Blood pressure and lipoproteins were the parameters with least beneficial results.

Our systematic literature review revealed beneficial effects of dietary anthocyanin interventions on CVD risk factors following a HFM challenge; however, heterogeneity in results exists. The most promising results were for the attenuation of deleterious postprandial effects on oxidative stress and antioxidant status, triacylglycerol and total cholesterol concentrations, vascular endothelial function and inflammatory biomarkers. Post-prandial changes in blood pressure and lipoproteins were least affected by anthocyanins. Further studies are required in order to better elucidate the post-prandial effects of anthocyanins and CVD risk factors.