Diets rich in fruits and vegetables suppress blood biomarkers of metabolic stress in overweight women

ObjectiveThis study was performed to evaluate the effects of high vegetable–fruit (high-VF) and low vegetable–fruit (low-VF) diet on surrogate biomarkers of adiposity-related metabolic disturbances.MethodsOverweight women (n = 22, 19–29 years) participated in the study between July and August, 2007 in Seoul, Korea. The intervention consisted of either high-VF diet (12 servings of VF/day) or low-VF diet (2 servings of VF/day). Plasma concentration of carotenoids and biomarkers of inflammation and oxidative stress were determined before and after each intervention period.ResultsStudy results indicated that body fat content is positively correlated with plasma interleukin (IL)-6, C-reactive protein (CRP), and leptin concentrations at baseline. Oxidative DNA damage and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-activated production of IL-1β and IL-6 in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were decreased with high-VF diet while low-VF diet increased those markers. Changes in the concentration of plasma total carotenoid and β-carotene were inversely correlated with change in plasma IL-1β concentration. Differences in IL-β production in LPS-activated PBMCs were inversely correlated with changes in plasma concentration of lutein–zeaxanthin. Also, changes in plasma total carotenoid and lycopene concentration were inversely correlated with the changes in IL-6 production in LPS-activated PBMCs.ConclusionDaily intake of vegetables and fruits can modify adiposity-related metabolic disturbances.