Effects of Tart Cherry and Aronia Extract Supplementation on Selected Physiological Parameters in Endurance-Trained Men

Condition(s) studied

Investigational drug(s) / intervention(s)

Standardized Tart Cherry and Aronia Extract: Oral capsules containing 400 mg per capsule of a double-standardized extract of Prunus cerasus (Vistula) and Aronia melanocarpa (Michaux). The Prunus cerasus extract is standardized to a minimum of 15% polyphenols and 3% anthocyanins (DER 40:1), and the Aronia melanocarpa extract is standardized to a minimum of 50% polyphenols and 25% anthocyanins (DER 70:1). The intervention will be administered for four weeks during the active supplementation period.

Placebo: Maltodextrin-based placebo capsules visually matched to CHG SPORT capsules and supplied in identical containers. The placebo will be administered according to the same dosing schedule and for the same four-week duration as the active intervention.

Study summary

This study will evaluate the effects of four weeks of oral supplementation with a double-standardized tart cherry (Prunus cerasus) and aronia (Aronia melanocarpa) extract on cardiovascular regulation and exercise performance in healthy endurance-trained men aged 40 to 75 years. In a randomized crossover design, 25 participants will receive CHG SPORT and placebo for four weeks each, separated by a four-week washout period. Assessments will include resting cardiovascular and respiratory measurements, cardiovascular and ventilatory responses to transient hypoxia, flow-mediated dilation, skin advanced glycation end products, cardiopulmonary exercise testing, 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure, and blood biomarkers. The study will determine whether CHG SPORT supplementation produces changes in selected cardiovascular and exercise-performance measures compared with placebo.

Eligibility

Primary outcome measure(s)

• Change in total peripheral resistance at rest — Baseline and Day 28 of each intervention period
  Change in resting total peripheral resistance (TPR) from baseline to the end of each 4-week intervention period. TPR will be derived from continuous non-invasive arterial blood pressure recordings obtained during the resting supine recording. Lower values after intervention indicate a reduction in resting TPR.
• Change in brachial artery flow-mediated dilation — Baseline and Day 28 of each intervention period
  Change in brachial artery flow-mediated dilation (FMD), expressed as the percentage increase in maximal brachial artery diameter during reactive hyperemia relative to baseline diameter, from baseline to the end of each 4-week intervention period.

Trial sites (1)

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