Effects of Apple Consumption on Lipid Profile among Hyperlipidemic and Over weight Men

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of apple consumption on lipid profiles among hyperlipidemic and overweight men. We performed an experimental study on 46 hyperlipidemic men, aged between 30-50 years(TC=200-240 mg/dl, TG=150-350 mg/dl), randomly divided into two (apple and control) groups. The apple group (23 subjects) received 300 gr of whole apples per day (Golden Delicious) for 8 weeks, while controls (23 subjects) had the regular dietary pattern for the same period of time. Blood samples were collected at baseline and after intervention and analyzed for serum TG, TC, LDL-C, HDL-C, VLDL, Apo(B), Lp(a) and LDL/HDL levels. Before study, education level and family size were compared. Before and after intervention, physical activity and dietary intake were compared between the two groups. Both total polyphenol and the total fiber consumed in apples were measured. Total polyphenol and total fiber intakes were 485 mg/kg fresh apple and 4.03 gr/100 gr of fresh apple, respectively. After 8 weeks, mean differences in TG and VLDL concentrations increased statistically in the apple group compared to the control group, but, no significant differences were observed in the TC, LDL-C, HDL-C, Apo(B), Lp(a) and LDL/HDL levels, between two groups. Consumption of Golden Delicious apples seemed to increase serum TG and VLDL concentrations in hyperlipidemic men. More studies are needed to investigate the effect of Golden delicious apple on serum TC, LDL-C, HDL-C, Apo(B), Lp(a) and LDL/HDL concentrations.