Effects of Anthocyanin on Serum Lipids in Dyslipidemia Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Anthocyanins reduce cholesterol and triglyceride levels.
Anthocyanins are blue- and purple-colored polyphenolic compounds found in fruits and vegetables, including blueberries, raspberries, eggplants, and others. Robust evidence indicates that anthocyanins exert antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and/or neuroprotective effects and may reduce a person’s risk of developing cardiovascular disease, cancer, and type 2 diabetes. Findings from a recent meta-analysis found that anthocyanins reduce cholesterol and triglyceride levels in people with dyslipidemia.
Dyslipidemia is an abnormal condition in which levels of blood lipids, such as cholesterol or triglycerides, are too high or too low. Dyslipidemia can be caused by genetic or lifestyle factors and may increase a person’s risk of developing atherosclerosis, a condition characterized by high levels of triglycerides and small, dense low-density lipoprotein (LDL) particles, and low levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol.
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The investigators conducted a meta-analysis, a type of study that analyzes the data derived from multiple studies using objective, statistical formulas to identify a common effect. Their analysis only included randomized, placebo-controlled trials in adults that examined links between anthocyanin supplementation and total cholesterol, triglyceride, LDL, and HDL levels (measured in milligrams per deciliter [mg/dL]). Six studies, involving nearly 600 participants, met their criteria.
They found that anthocyanin supplementation had favorable effects on total cholesterol (24.06 mg/dL decrease), triglycerides (26.14 mg/dL decrease), LDL (22.10 mg/dL decrease) and HDL (5.58 mg/dL increase). These effects were observed even when considering the participants' age, body mass index, anthocyanin dose, duration of intervention, and ethnicity.
These findings suggest that anthocyanins, a class of polyphenols, markedly improve blood lipid concentrations. They also underscore the value of dietary measures in managing dyslipidemia. Learn more about polyphenols in our overview article.