(P10-08-26) Effects of Tart Cherry Juice Consumption on 24-Hour Ambulatory Blood Pressure and Wave Reflection in Postmenopausal Women

Objectives: This study examines the effects of tart cherry juice on 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure (BP) and endothelial function in postmenopausal women.

Methods: In this 12-week randomized controlled trial, 35 postmenopausal women aged 45-60 years were randomly assigned to consume 480 ml of tart cherry juice (n=19) or control drink (n=16) daily for 12 weeks. Cardiovascular outcomes were assessed at baseline and after 12-week. Between-group differences at baseline, post-intervention, and for change scores were evaluated using appropriate statistical methods.

Results: Baseline measures of 24-hour heart rate (HR), 24-hour central augmentation index (AI), AI normalized to a HR of 75 (AI@75), nocturnal HR, nocturnal AI, nocturnal AI@75, augmented pressure (AP) did not differ significantly between the two groups. After 12 weeks, significant between-group differences in change from baseline were observed in 24-hour HR and nocturnal HR, with reductions in the tart cherry group and increases in the control group.

Additionally, significant between-group differences at 12 weeks were observed for 24-hour AI@75, nocturnal AI, and nocturnal AI@75, with lower values in the tart cherry group. However, between-group differences in change from baseline were not statistically significant, which may reflect the limited statistical power due to the modest sample size. 24-hour central systolic BP, diastolic BP and pulse pressure were not significantly affected by the 12-week intervention in either group.

Conclusions: These findings suggest that tart cherry juice consumption may have beneficial effects on cardiovascular measures in postmenopausal women. Larger adequately powered trials are warranted to confirm these preliminary observations.

Funding Sources: Cherry Industry Administrative Board