ABSTRACT
Introduction: High circulating levels of hemostatic factors are associated with increased CVD risk. Raisins contain polyphenolic compounds which can reduce risk factors for cardiovascular disease. In this study the effect of black raisin consumption on some coagulation factors, lipid profile and serum Total Antioxidant Capacity [TAC] in hyperlipidemic patients was evaluated
Materials and Methods: In this randomized clinical trial, 40 hyperlipidemic patients [25 women, 13 men], mean age of 41.05 +/- 10.4 years, participated and were randomly divided into two groups. The intervention group consumed 90 gr black raisins for 5 weeks while the control group received no intervention. Plasma levels of fibrinogen and factor VII, lipid profile and TAC were determined at baseline and after 5 weeks of intervention. Physical activity and 24-hour recall were also evaluated questionnaire at baseline and at end of the study. Data were analyzed using independent T-test and paired T-test and significant was set at P values<0.05
Results: Physical activity and energy intake did not differ significantly between the two groups. After 5 weeks of daily intakes of raisin, TAC was significantly increased in the raisin group compared to the control group [P=0.001]. Although levels of lipid profile, factor VII and fibrinogen were decreased in the raisin group, they were not significant compared with control group [P=0.459, P=0.633]. Mean serum total cholesterol [P=0.018] and LDL-C [P=0.01] was significantly reduced, compared to baseline, but no significant difference was observed between the two groups [P=0.797, P=0.855]
Conclusion: These results indicate that consumption of black raisin which is rich in polyphenolic compounds has beneficial effects on serum antioxidant capacity in patients with hyperlipidemia