@article{Nyberg_Gerring_Gjellan_Vergara_Lindström_Nystrom_2013, title={Effects of exercise with or without blueberries in the diet on cardio-metabolic risk factors: An exploratory pilot study in healthy subjects}, volume={118}, url={https://ujms.net/index.php/ujms/article/view/5947}, DOI={10.3109/03009734.2013.825348}, abstractNote={<p>Background. The improvement of insulin sensitivity by exercise has been shown to be inhibited by supplementation of vitamins acting as antioxidants.</p> <p>Objective. To examine effects of exercise with or without blueberries, containing natural antioxidants, on cardio-metabolic risk factors.</p> <p>Methods. Fifteen healthy men and 17 women, 27.6 ± 6.5 years old, were recruited, and 26 completed a randomized cross-over trial with 4 weeks of exercise by running/jogging 5 km five times/week and 4 weeks of minimal physical activity. Participants were also randomized to consume 150 g of blueberries, or not, on exercise days. Laboratory variables weremeasured before and after a 5 km running-race at maximal speed at the beginning and end of each period, i.e. there were four maximal running-races and eight samplings in total for each participant.</p> <p>Results. Insulin and triglyceride levels were reduced while HDL-cholesterol increased by exercise compared with minimal physical activity. Participants randomized to consume blueberries showed an increase in fasting glucose levels compared with controls, during the exercise period (blueberries: from 5.12 ± 0.49 mmol/l to 5.32 ± 0.29 mmol/l; controls: from 5.24 ± 0.27 mmol/l to 5.17 ± 0.23mmol/l, P = 0.04 for difference in change). Triglyceride levels fell in the control group (from 1.1 ± 0.49 mmol/l to 0.93 ± 0.31 mmol/l, P = 0.02), while HDL-cholesterol increased in the blueberry group (from 1.51 ± 0.29 mmol/l to 1.64 ± 0.33 mmol/l, P = 0.006).</p> <p>Conclusions. Ingestion of blueberries induced differential effects on cardio-metabolic risk factors, including increased levels of both fasting glucose and HDL-cholesterol. However, since it is possible that indirect effects on food intake were induced, other than consumption of blueberries, further studies are needed to confirm the findings.</p&gt;}, number={4}, journal={Upsala Journal of Medical Sciences}, author={Nyberg Sofia and Gerring Edvard and Gjellan Solveig and Vergara Marta and Lindström Torbjörn and Nystrom Fredrik H}, year={2013}, month={Aug.} }