January 10, 2026Nutrients0 citationsOpen Access
Purified Anthocyanins Indicated No Significant Effect on Arterial Stiffness, Four-Limb Blood Pressures and Cardiovascular Risk—A 12-Week Dose–Response Trial in Chinese Middle-Aged and Elderly Adults with Hyperglycemia
Key Result
Purified anthocyanins had no significant effects on arterial stiffness or cardiovascular risk factors in Chinese middle-aged and elderly adults with hyperglycemia.
Key Points
- The aim was to evaluate the effects of purified anthocyanins on arterial stiffness and cardiovascular risk in middle-aged and elderly Chinese individuals with hyperglycemia.
- Conducted a secondary analysis of a 12-week randomized, placebo-controlled trial.
- Participants were assigned to different doses of anthocyanins (160, 320, 640 mg/d) or placebo.
- Measured arterial stiffness using brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity and other vascular indices.
- A total of 184 participants were enrolled, with 19 withdrawing during the trial.
- No significant effects of anthocyanin supplementation on arterial stiffness or cardiovascular risk factors were observed.
- No dose-response relationship was established concerning the supplementation outcomes.
Structured PICO
Does purified anthocyanin supplementation improve arterial stiffness and cardiovascular risk markers in middle-aged and elderly adults with prediabetes or early diabetes?
P
Population
184 Chinese middle-aged and elderly adults with prediabetes or early diabetes (dysglycemia).
I
Intervention
Purified anthocyanins at 160, 320, or 640 mg/day for 12 weeks.
C
Comparator
Placebo for 12 weeks.
O
Outcome
Arterial stiffness and vascular function (measured by brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity [baPWV], ankle-brachial index [ABI], and four-limb blood pressures) and composite cardiovascular indices at 12 weeks.surrogate
Purified anthocyanin supplementation at various doses for 12 weeks does not improve arterial stiffness or cardiovascular risk markers in Chinese adults with prediabetes or early diabetes.
Main Result
Absolute Event Rate: 0% vs 0%
Abstract
Background: Diabetes is associated with sub-optimal vascular function. Current evidence suggested purified anthocyanins (ACNs) could improve cardio-metabolic health, but the dose–response effects on arterial stiffness have not been verified. Objectives: To assess the dose-responsiveness of purified ACNs on vascular stiffness and cardiovascular risk among Chinese middle-aged and elderly patients with either prediabetes or early diabetes. Methods: This was a secondary analysis based on a 12-week double-blind, randomized and placebo-controlled trial. Eligible participants were randomly assigned to placebo, 160, 320 and 640 mg/d ACNs groups (n = 46/group). Information on dietary intakes and lifestyle habits and blood samples were collected at baseline and at week 12. Arterial stiffness and vascular function were measured by brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV), ankle-brachial index (ABI) and four-limb blood pressures. Composite cardiovascular indices were estimated based on lipids and anthropometric data. Results: Total 184 eligible participants were recruited and 19 withdrew during the intervention. Baseline characteristics were generally comparable among groups. No significant effects or dose–response relationships were observed by ACNs supplementation on arterial stiffness and cardiovascular risk factors. Conclusions: The 12-week randomized controlled trial among Chinese middle-aged and elderly adults with dysglycemia showed multiple dosages of anthocyanins had no significant impacts on arterial stiffness and cardiovascular risk.