This randomized, controlled, double-blinded and crossover study has been conducted in 34 adults with moderate hypercholesterolemia. They received a control beverage, or a beverage containing freeze-dried strawberry powder (25g, twice daily) for 4 weeks. The two study periods were separated by a 4-week washout.

After 4 weeks, the supplementation had no impact on LDL-cholesterol, total cholesterol, triglycerides, glucose, insulin, hs-CRP, flow-mediated dilation or blood pressure. However, increased flow-mediated dilation was noted one hour after strawberry intake (p = 0.0008). A lowered systolic blood pressure was noted at 2 hours (p = 0.02).

Therefore, strawberry consumption seems to have no chronic effects on cardiovascular factors, but has an acute impact on flow-mediated dilation and blood pressure. The authors hypothesized that these effects may be related to changes in microbial-derived phenolic metabolites after strawberry consumption influencing endothelial function.

Huang L, Xiao D, Zhang X, Sandhu AK, Chandra P, Kay C, Edirisinghe I, Burton-Freeman B. Strawberry Consumption, Cardiometabolic Risk Factors, and Vascular Function: A Randomized Controlled Trial in Adults with Moderate Hypercholesterolemia. J Nutr. 2021 Mar 23:nxab034.

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