A pilot sweet cherry feeding study in overweight men: Tolerance, safety, and anthocyanin exposure

Sweet cherries are rich in bioactive anthocyanins (ACN) and thus are considered a functional food. Yet, tolerance to and bioavailability of a significant daily dose of cherries has not been evaluated in humans. This pilot study aimed to assess compliance, tolerance, safety, and change in circulating/excreted ACNs due to daily consumption of sweet cherries. Change in bowel habits, quality of life, urinary/circulating concentration ACNs, and inflammatory biomarkers were measured in overweight, older men (n = 37) before and after daily consumption of three cups of sweet cherries for 4 weeks. Cherry fruit ACN content was also measured. Tolerance to intervention was high in this study. An increase in several plasma/urine ACNs was observed, but did not correlate with the amount of ACN measured in the fruits. No significant changes in inflammatory biomarkers were observed. This intervention was feasible and increased anthocyanin exposure in overweight men.