Biological activities of açaí (Euterpe oleracea Mart.) and juçara (Euterpe edulis Mart.) intake in humans: an integrative review of clinical trials.

Açaí (E. oleracea) and juçara (E. edulis) are berries considered a source of bioactive compounds, especially anthocyanins and unsaturated fatty acids, with recognized health-promoting activities. An integrative review was conducted to identify available clinical trials that evaluated the effects of açaí and juçara intake on the human organism. Science Direct and Medline databases were searched. Human studies that evaluated any biological activities after açaí and juçara intake were included in this review. Twenty-three clinical trials were identified up to April 12, 2020. Studies evaluated the biological effects of açaí (n = 17), juçara (n = 5), or both berries simultaneously (n = 1). The results of these trials suggest both types of berries may contribute to improved antioxidant defense and to attenuating metabolic stress and inflammation. However, considerable heterogeneity was observed among trials, and few studies explored the bioactive compounds of the food matrix provided in the interventions. More clinical trials are encouraged to strengthen the current evidence on human biological outcomes, including comparative analysis between these berries.

Nutrition education intervention for women with breast cancer: effect on nutritional factors and oxidative stress.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the effect of a nutrition education intervention on nutritional factors and oxidative stress during treatment of breast cancer. DESIGN: Nonrandomized clinical trial conducted in 2010-2011, including an evaluation at baseline and after 12 months. PARTICIPANTS: Women from Brazil who had breast cancer, divided into an intervention group (IG) (n = 18) and comparison group (n = 75). INTERVENTION: To increase intake of fruits and vegetables and reduce red and processed meats, via telephone and printed materials. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Food intake, anthropometry, and levels of lipid hydroperoxide, carbonyl proteins, reduced glutathione, and ferric reducing antioxidant power. ANALYSES: Chi-square, Mann-Whitney or t tests for baseline data; Wilcoxon or paired t tests for intra-group outcomes, linear regression models, and Bonferroni multiplicity adjustment. RESULTS: The researchers observed an increase in fruit and vegetable intake, reduction in red and processed meat intake, no change in body weight, and an increase in glutathione in the IG over the comparison group. However, after Bonferroni adjustment, only the consumption of fruits and vegetables and fruit was significantly higher in IG. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: This study presents improved dietary changes after a theory-driven nutrition education intervention. Although the sample size is small, it has proven to be clinically relevant.