Strawberry Powder Lowers LDL

STILLWATER Okla.According to new research published in Nutrition Journal, short-term supplementation of freeze-dried strawberries appeared to exert hypocholesterolemic effects and decrease lipid peroxidation in women with metabolic syndrome (2009;8:43). Females (n=16) with three features of metabolic syndrome were enrolled in the study. Subjects consumed two cups of a strawberry drink daily for four weeks. Each cup had 25 g of freeze-dried strawberry powder (FSP) blended in water.

Total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels were significantly lower at four weeks versus baseline (P<0.05), as was lipid peroxidation in the form of malondialdehyde and hydroxynonenal (P<0.01). Oxidized LDL showed a decreasing trend at four weeks (P=0.123). No effects were noted on markers of inflammation, including C-reactive protein and adiponectin. A significant number of subjects (13/16) showed an increase in plasma ellagic acid at four weeks versus baseline, while no significant differences were noted in dietary intakes at four weeks versus baseline.