Chapter 5: The Effects of Berry Bioactive Compounds on Vascular Function

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is an age-related chronic disease and the leading cause of death worldwide. The primary risk factor for CVD is aging, but numerous factors such as lifestyle, obesity, and metabolic disorders can accelerate its development. During aging, adverse structural and functional changes to the vascular system often occur and manifest as vascular endothelial dysfunction and arterial stiffness. Together, these changes are referred to as vascular dysfunction and contribute to the development of atherosclerosis and hypertension. Certain lifestyle behaviors, such as healthy dietary patterns, can attenuate the development of, and may reverse, vascular dysfunction. In particular, berries have increasingly been demonstrated to exert cardiovascular-protective effects, including the beneficial modulation of vascular function. Studies have shown that berry (poly)phenols appear to regulate vascular function through attenuation of oxidative stress, chronic inflammation, and modulation of the gut microbiota. This chapter will discuss the effects of berries and their bioactive compounds on vascular function, focusing on human intervention studies.