The Health Effects of Blueberry Anthocyanins in Metabolic Syndrome (the CIRCLES-study)

Inclusion Criteria:

- Men and postmenopausal women (≥ 1 year since last menstruation)

- 50 to 75 years old

- BMI of ≥ 25 kg/m2

- 3 characteristics of metabolic syndrome i.e: Waist circumference ≥ 102 cm for men, ≥
88 cm for women; Triglycerides ≥ 1.7 mmol/L (or drug treatment for elevated
triglycerides); HDL-cholesterol < 1.0 mmol/L for men, < 1.3 mmol/L for women (or drug
treatment for low HDL-cholesterol); Blood pressure ≥ 130 mm Hg systolic and/or ≥ 85 mm
Hg diastolic blood pressure; Fasting blood glucose ≥ 5.56 mmol/L

- Successful biochemical, haematological and urinalysis assessment at screening

Exclusion Criteria:

- Current smokers, or ex-smokers ceasing < 6 months ago

- Existing or significant past medical history of vascular disease or medical conditions
likely to affect the study measures

- Fructose intolerance or known allergies to the intervention treatments

- On therapeutic diets or having experienced substantial weight loss within 3 months of
screening

- Taking flavonoid containing supplements (and unwilling to cease intake during, and 1
month preceding the trial)

- Planning on altering consumption of vitamin supplements / fish oil capsules during the
course of the study.

- Prescribed hypoglycaemic, vasodilators or HRT medication.

- Unsatisfactory biochemical, haematological or urinary assessment at screening, or
measures considered to be counter indicative for the study

- < 3 characteristics of the metabolic syndrome.

NB: REC approved NoSA granted to include those on anti-hypertensives (29JUL2014)