Effects of strawberry intervention on cardiovascular risk factors: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

We conducted a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials to examine the effects of strawberry interventions on cardiovascular risk factors. We searched multiple databases including PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus to identify eligible studies published before May 19, 2019. The endpoints were blood pressure, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol, triglycerides, and fasting blood glucose, endothelial function, and inflammatory factors. Pooled analyses were performed using random- or fixed-effects models according to a heterogeneity test. We also conducted subgroup analyses by baseline endpoint levels. We included 11 randomized controlled trials in this meta-analysis (6 for blood pressure, 7 for lipid profile, 7 for fasting blood glucose, and 6 for C-reactive protein). Overall, the strawberry interventions significantly reduced C-reactive protein levels by 0.63 mg/L (95% confidence interval [CI]: -1.04, -0.22) but did not affect blood pressure, lipid profile, or fasting blood glucose in the main analyses. Our analysis stratified by baseline endpoint levels showed the strawberry interventions significantly reduced total cholesterol among people with baseline levels >5 mmol/L (-0.52 mmol/L, 95% CI: -0.88, -0.15) and reduced LDL-cholesterol among people with baseline levels >3 mmol/L (-0.31 mmol/L, 95% CI: -0.60, -0.02). There was little evidence of heterogeneity in the analysis and no evidence of publication bias. In summary, strawberry interventions significantly reduced CRP levels and may improve total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol in individuals with high baseline levels.