Araya Pranprawit

Citation

Thesis Title
Effect of Highbush blueberry consumption on markers of metabolic syndrome

Read article at Massey Research Online:

Metabolic syndrome (MS), a group of common metabolic disorders, is becoming a major public health challenge worldwide. MS is associated with a high risk of the development of several chronic diseases, including type II diabetes. Ms Pranprawit investigated the potential of Highbush blueberries (the type of blueberry that is commonly available in New Zealand) to alleviate markers of metabolic disorders. The blueberries tended to improve some metabolic abnormalities, including glucose tolerance, normalizing the degree of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), and increasing the growth of probiotic bacteria in the intestines. However, no reduction in body weight or fat accumulation was observed with blueberry supplementation. Ms Pranprawit’s results shed light on the possible beneficial effect of selected New Zealand Highbush blueberries against insulin resistance associated with the metabolic syndrome.

Supervisors
Professor Marlena Kruger
Dr Fran Wolber
Dr Abdul-Lateef Molan
Professor Julian Heyes