Effects of Cranberry Supplement on Metabolic Syndrome

Metabolic syndrome consists of a group of metabolic disorders which is associated with increased cardiovascular risk. Several studies are conducting in regard to the effects of plant polyphenols as an alternative treatment for metabolic syndrome. Therefore, the goal of the present study was to assess the effects of cranberry supplement on some features of metabolic syndrome. In this double-blind randomized clinical trial, 48 women with metabolic syndrome were followed for 8 weeks, divided into two groups: intervention and control. The participants in the intervention group received 2 capsules of cranberry extract (equal to 400 miligrams of cranberry extract) and the participants in the control group received two placebo capsules daily. Serum levels of glucose, insulin, lipid profile, oxidative stress marker, fat tissue distribution and blood pressure were measured at the beginning and after 8 weeks of the study, and were compared between the two groups. Compared to the control group, HDL- cholesterol level increased significantly in the intervention group (P<0.05). Also a significant reduction was seen in systolic blood pressure and waist circumference in the intervention group (P<0.05), whereas no change was made in levels of glucose, insulin, insulin resistance index and oxidative stress marker. In the present study, cranberry supplement increased HDL-cholesterol level, decreased blood pressure and waist circumference in patients with metabolic syndrome, but did not have any effect on other lipid indices and oxidative stress marker.