Randomized Controlled Trial for Promotion of Healthy Eating in Older Adults by Increasing Consumption of Plant-Based Foods: Effect on Inflammatory Biomarkers

To what extent the intake of fruit and vegetables (FV) influences inflammatory status remains elusive, particularly in older populations. The aim of the present study was to determine the effect of increased FV intake for 16 weeks on circulating biomarkers of inflammation in a population of older men and women. Sixty-six participants (65-70 years) randomly assigned to either FV or control (CON) groups were instructed to increase FV intake to five servings per day through nutritional counseling (FV) or to maintain habitual diet (CON). Dietary intake and physical activity level (PA) were determined using food frequency questionnaire and accelerometers, respectively, at the start and end of the intervention. C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin 6 (IL-6), IL-18, macrophage inflammatory protein-1 alpha (MIP-1 alpha), MIP-1 beta, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL), TNF-related activation-induced cytokine (TRANCE), and C-X3-C motif chemokine ligand-1 (CX3CL1, or fractalkine) were analyzed. The FV group significantly increased daily FV intake (from 2.2 & PLUSMN; 1.3 to 4.2 & PLUSMN; 1.8 servings/day), with no change in CON. Waist circumference and PA level were unchanged by the intervention. Interaction effects (time x group, p < 0.05) for TRAIL, TRANCE, and CX3CL1 denoting a significant decrease (p < 0.05) in FV but not in CON were observed. No corresponding effects on CRP, IL6, TNF-alpha, MIP-1 alpha, and beta and IL-18 were observed. The present study demonstrates the influence of increased FV consumption on levels of some inflammatory biomarkers in a population of older adults. Future work is warranted to examine the clinical implications of FV-induced alterations in these inflammatory biomarkers.