(OR18-05-24) Increasing Fruit Intake in Partially Controlled Diets for 8 Weeks on Endothelial Function and Blood Pressure in Adults with Prediabetes

Objectives: To investigate the effect of increasing total and selected fruit (avocado and mango) intake on endothelial function and vascular health in middle-aged individuals who are overweight/obese with prediabetes.

Methods: In this randomized, 2-arm parallel, controlled feeding study, 68 participants (43±15 years, 30±7 kg/m², mean ± SD) were given weekly diet plans (75% of participant energy requirement) to consume at home daily for 8 weeks incorporating one each avocado and mango (Fruit Diet, FD) or energy matched low-fat, low-fiber control foods (CD). Brachial artery flow mediated vasodilation (FMD) was the primary endpoint. Arterial stiffness (via carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity, PWV) and central blood pressure (cBP) were secondary endpoints. Outcomes were measured pre-intervention (0 week) and post-intervention (4 and 8 weeks). FMD was also measured postprandially after a standardized test meal challenge consisting of biscuits, butter, eggs, cheese, and apple juice. Non-parametric tests were used to test for significant intervention effects on study endpoints using SPSS version 16.

Results: Preliminary analysis (n=35) suggests FMD% was significantly different between interventions at week 8 (4.4±2.4 vs 6.7±2.6, p< 0.05). In addition, FMD% measured after the meal challenge, an indicator of the residual effect of the background diet, was different between interventions at week 8 (P < 0.05). Diastolic blood pressure but not systolic blood pressure was also different between interventions at week 8 (P < 0.05).

Conclusions: Preliminary results suggest adding select fruits (avocado and mango) to the daily diet to increase fruit consumption and aid in diversifying the nutrient composition of the diet influences vascular measures important in cardiovascular health.

Funding Sources: Hass Avocado Board, National Mango Board, USA.