A systematic review of the mechanisms of cardiovascular disease reduction by dietary flavonoids: the impact of anthocyanins on flow-mediated dilation and blood rheology

This comprehensive systematic review supports the idea that anthocyanin-rich foods or extracts can improve vascular function in healthy people, as evidenced by FMD. However, small sample sizes, varying anthocyanin doses, short intervention periods, and diversity in study methods limit the present body of evidence. Future studies should concentrate on well-powered, long-term randomised controlled trials using standardised anthocyanin formulations and dose regimens together with studies across varied demographics to improve generalisability in order to create unambiguous clinical guidelines.