Anthocyanin-rich dried fruit consumption increases polyphenol excretion and lowers plasma uric acid in coronary artery disease: a randomized trial.

In 30 seconds

This randomized, parallel-group trial assessed an 8-week dried-fruit intervention in patients with coronary artery disease after angioplasty. Participants consumed either control or a daily combination of black raisins, dried sour cherries, and cranberry powder, providing approximately 66 mg of anthocyanins. Among 63 study completers, the intervention increased urinary total polyphenol excretion and reduced plasma uric acid compared with control. Mean uric acid change was 1.2 mg/dL [0.7, 1.8] in the fruit group versus 0.2 mg/dL [-0.3, 0.6] in control (p < 0.01). Other measured cardiometabolic outcomes showed no significant between-group differences.

Key findings

• Urinary total polyphenol excretion increased substantially in the anthocyanin-rich fruit group compared with control.
• Plasma uric acid mean change was 1.2 mg/dL [0.7, 1.8] with fruit versus 0.2 mg/dL [-0.3, 0.6] with control (p < 0.01).
• Uric acid reduction correlated negatively with change in urinary total flavanols (r = -0.351; p < 0.01).
• There were no significant between-group differences in cholesterol efflux capacity or inflammatory biomarkers; LDL cholesterol showed a non-significant tendency to decrease (p = 0.06).

Why it matters

The findings suggest that a modest intake of anthocyanin-rich dried fruits can alter polyphenol excretion and lower plasma uric acid over eight weeks in people with coronary artery disease. However, the intervention did not significantly improve several other measured cardiometabolic markers, so the results do not establish broader cardiovascular benefit.

What to keep in mind

The study was limited to 63 completers with coronary artery disease after angioplasty and assessed outcomes over eight weeks; it does not establish longer-term effects or clinical cardiovascular outcomes.