Consumption of polyphenolic-rich beverages (mostly pomegranate and black currant juices) by healthy subjects for a short term increased serum antioxidant status, and the serum's ability to attenuate macrophage cholesterol accumulation.

The present study analyzed the antioxidative effects of various beverages, in vitro, and also the effect of short term consumption of beverages richest in polyphenols by healthy subjects on serum anti-atherogenic properties. Healthy subjects consumed 250 mL of the selected beverages for 2 h, or daily, for up to 1 week.We hypothesized that differences in the anti-atherogenic properties of the studied beverages could be related, not only to the quantity of polyphenols, but also to their quality. Furthermore, we hypothesized that consumption of these juices by healthy subjects for just a short-term, will increase their serum anti-atherogenic properties, as was demonstrated previously in long-term consumption studies.Of 35 beverages studied, both 100% Wonderful-variety pomegranate and 100% black currant juices were the most potent antioxidants in vitro, as they inhibited copper ion-induced LDL oxidation by up to 94% and AAPH-induced serum lipid peroxidation by up to 38%. Furthermore, they increased in vitro serum paraoxonase 1 (PON1) lactonase activity by up to 51%. Consumption of five selected polyphenol rich beverages by healthy subjects increased serum sulfhydryl group (SH) levels and serum PON1 activities after 2 h, and more so after 1 week of drinking these beverages. These effects were most pronounced after the consumption of 100% Wonderful-variety pomegranate and 100% black currant juices. In conclusion, polyphenolic-rich juices with impressive in vitro antioxidant properties, also demonstrate antioxidant effects in vivo when analyzed for short term consumption. In this respect, 100% Wonderful-variety pomegranate and 100% black currant juices were most the potent.