What is the effect of drinking 16 oz. of Pomegranate Blueberry V8 V-Fusion® or 4.23 oz Apple Juicy Juice® every day for 21 days on high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) levels in college-aged students?

Document Type

Thesis

Publication Date

2013

Disciplines

Nutrition

Abstract

Introduction: Fruit and vegetable intake is inversely correlated to serum levels of hs-CRP, a marker of inflammation. The effects of single foods such as red orange juice and carrot juice on hs-CRP levels have been analyzed; however fruit and vegetable juice combination has not been investigated. Juices provide a convenient way to increase fruit and vegetable intake, however juices lack fiber found in whole fruits and vegetables.

Purpose: To investigate the effect of a blended juice product compared to a single ingredient fruit juice on serum hs-CRP levels in college-aged students.

Methods: Eleven subjects were recruited an introductory nutrition course. Subjects were randomly assigned to two treatment groups. One group consumed 16 oz. of Pomegranate Blueberry V8 V-Fusion ®juice for 21 days and one group consumed 4.23 oz. Apple Juicy Juice ® for 21 days. Three day dietary intake records for each subject were analyzed to evaluate average fruit and vegetable consumption. Hs-CRP levels were drawn on day 1 and 21 and analyzed using a Cholestech LDX.

Results: There was no significant difference in baseline fruit and vegetable consumption, initial hs-CRP or final hs-CRP between groups.

Conclusion: There is no evidence that either V8 V-Fusion® or apple Juicy Juice® effects hs-CRP in this sample. A larger sample size is needed to establish a clear trend.

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