Effects of Fresh Pear Consumption on Biomarkers of Cardiometabolic Health in Middle‐Aged and Older Adults with Metabolic Syndrome

Abstract

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a cluster of major cardiometabolic risk factors and is highly associated with the development of chronic diseases, namely cardiovascular disease. Pears (Pyrus communis) are an excellent source of dietary fiber, a good source of vitamin C, and contain potassium, vitamin K, and bioactive compounds including flavonoids and phenolic acids. Previous research with pears supports their potential as a functional food for promoting cardiometabolic health. The objective of this study was to evaluate the extent to which fresh pear consumption would improve biomarkers of cardiometabolic risk in middle‐aged and older adults with MetS. In a randomized, open‐label, placebo‐controlled, two‐period crossover trial, 50 adults aged 45 to 65 years with at least 3 of the 5 features of MetS were randomly assigned to consume either 2 medium‐sized fresh pears (Pear) or 50 g pear‐flavored drink mix (Control) per day for 12 weeks. At the end of the 12‐week period, subjects underwent a 4‐week washout period and then crossed over to the other group. Analyses were performed for the 43 subjects who completed the entire study. In the Pear group, systolic blood pressure tended to be reduced (130 ± 2 mmHg vs. 134 ± 2 mmHg at baseline, P = 0.07) and pulse pressure was significantly reduced (50 ± 1 vs. 54 ± 1 at baseline, P < 0.05) at 12 weeks while no changes were observed in the Control group. Leptin concentrations tended to be significantly reduced (P = 0.06) at 12 weeks in the Pear group (51.0 ± 5.0 ng/dL vs. 56.6 ± 4.9 ng/dL at baseline) but not in the Control group, and values were significantly lower (P < 0.05) in the Pear group (51.0 ± 5.0 ng/dL) than the Control group (57.6 ± 4.6 ng/dL) at 12 weeks. Waist circumference was significantly reduced (P < 0.05) at 12 weeks in the Pear group (107.5 ± 1.9 cm vs. 108.1 ± 2.0 cm at baseline). Conversely, waist circumference was significantly increased (108.4 ± 1.9 cm vs. 107.9 ± 2.0 cm at baseline, P < 0.05) at 6 weeks in the Control group and was sustained at 12 weeks. At 6 weeks, waist circumference tended to be lower (P = 0.0987) in the Pear group (107.8 ± 1.9 cm) than the Control group (108.4 ± 1.9 cm). Waist‐to‐hip ratio was significantly reduced (0.925 ± 0.011 vs. 0.930 ± 0.011 at baseline, P < 0.05) at 12 weeks in the Pear group, and at 6 and 12 weeks values were significantly lower (P < 0.05) in the Pear group (0.926 ± 0.011 and 0.925 ± 0.011, respectively) than the Control group (0.933 ± 0.010 and 0.932 ± 0.010, respectively) at 6 and 12 weeks. Percent android fat was significantly higher (P < 0.05) at 6 weeks in the Control group (50.8% vs. 50.2% at baseline) compared to baseline and this was sustained at 12 weeks while no changes were observed in the Pear group. Android‐to‐gynoid ratio was significantly higher P < 0.05) in the Control group at 6 weeks (0.60 ± 0.01 vs. 0.57 ± 0.02 at baseline) and 12 weeks (0.61 ± 0.02 vs. 0.57 ± 0.02 at baseline) weeks compared to baseline while no changes were noted in the Pear group. Our findings suggest that fresh pear consumption may promote cardiometabolic health in middle‐aged and older adults with MetS.Support or Funding InformationPear Bureau Northwest and the Fresh Pear Committee of Federal Marketing Order 927.