Evaluation of Safety of Excessive Intake and Efficacy of Long-term Intake of Beverages Containing Apple Polyphenols

Publication Date:
2010-06-01

Institutions involved:

Research Laboratories for Fundamental Technology of Food, Asahi Breweries, Ltd., Ibaraki JAPAN
Research & Development Headquarters for Beverages, Asahi Soft Drinks Co., Ltd., Ibaraki JAPAN
Department of Health and Nutrition, University of Human Arts and Sciences, Saitama JAPAN

Participants:
Long-Term Intake Trial, 94 adults. Excessive Intake Trial, 30 adults

Duration:
Long-Term Intake Trial, 12 weeks. Excessive Intake Trial, 4 weeks.

Dosage:
Dose-dependent results observed, 600 mg/day (standard), 1,800 mg/day (excessive)

Key Takeaways:

Visceral fat reduction confirmed: 600 mg/day of apple polyphenols significantly reduced visceral fat area (VFA) and total fat area (TFA) over 12 weeks (CT-scan verified).

Body shaping metrics improved: Waist circumference, hip circumference, BMI, and waist-to-hip ratio all decreased significantly more in the apple polyphenols group.

Targeted for deep fat loss: Especially effective in those with high levels of belly fat. Visible reductions in waistline and visceral fat after just 8–12 weeks. Highest dose returned greatest fat loss.

Apple Poly Summary:

Why is this study important? This study evaluated both the long-term potency and the safety of excessive intake of beverages containing apple polyphenols. It found that daily consumption over 12 weeks significantly reduced visceral fat in adults with higher baseline levels—without any adverse effects, even at triple the standard dose. These findings reinforce the safety and metabolic benefits of apple polyphenols in functional beverages.

In Plain English: Researchers tested whether drinking an apple polyphenol–infused beverage every day could help reduce belly fat—and whether it was still safe if people drank a lot of it. After three months, people who drank the apple drink had less visceral fat (the kind that wraps around your organs), especially if they started with more of it. Even when people drank three times the normal amount, there were no side effects. It’s a safe and natural way to support a healthier body shape.

For Medical Professionals: This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study assessed both the long-term efficacy (12 weeks, n = 94) and excessive intake safety (4 weeks, n = 30) of a beverage containing 600 mg/day of apple polyphenols. In the long-term trial, subjects with elevated baseline visceral fat area (VFA ≥ 100 cm²) showed significant VFA reductions at weeks 8 and 12 (p < 0.05 and p < 0.01, respectively) compared to baseline and placebo. No significant changes were observed in subjects with normal VFA. In the excessive intake trial (3× dose), no adverse clinical, hematological, or physical effects were reported. These results support the safety and targeted efficacy of apple polyphenol beverages for visceral adiposity reduction.

Abstract:

In the present study, a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study was performed to evaluate the safety of an excessive intake and the efficacy of a long-term intake of polyphenols derived from apples for moderately underweight to moderately obese subjects (long-term intake: 94 subjects; excessive intake: 30 subjects).

For each trial, the subjects were divided into the following two groups: a group that drank beverages with apple polyphenols (600 mg) (hereinafter referred to as the apple group) and a group that drank beverages without apple polyphenols (hereinafter referred to as the placebo group). For the long-term intake trial, the subjects were given a regular amount of the beverage (340 g) each day for 12 weeks. For the excessive intake trial, the subjects were given three times the regular amount of the beverage each day for 4 weeks.

It is noteworthy that the visceral fat area (VFA) of subjects in the apple group for the long-term intake trial had decreased significantly by the 8-and 12-week marks (week 8: p < 0.05; week 12: p < 0.01) compared to the baseline (week 0). The degree of change in VFA experienced by subjects in the apple group compared to those in the placebo group was significantly lower by the 8- and 12-week marks (p < 0.01).

Stratified analysis indicated that the VFA of subjects in the apple group that started with a high VFA (VFA > or = 100 cm 2 ) had decreased significantly by the 8- and 12-week marks compared to the baseline (week 8: p < 0.05; week 12: p < 0.01). However, no significant change in the VFA of subjects in the apple group that started with a normal VFA (VFA < 100 cm 2 ) was exhibited by the 8- and 12-week marks.

No clinical problems arose in the blood examinations or physical examinations for the long-term intake trial or the excessive intake trial. No adverse reaction was observed in either trial. These results demonstrated the efficacy and the safety of the beverage with apple polyphenols.

Keywords: apple polyphenols, obesity, visceral fat, safety

J. Oleo Sci. 59, (6) 321-338 (2010)