Across 3 studies, 2 reported beneficial effects of anthocyanins on reducing blood cholesterol, with one meta-analysis showing a moderate effect (SMD: -0.33; 95% CI: -0.62, -0.03) and a smaller review also finding significant reductions. One RCT found no significant effect. The median study duration was 168 days (24 weeks), suggesting effects may require extended supplementation. The most-studied dose was 320 mg/day, and populations included mixed healthy and cardiometabolic groups.
Caveats: Evidence base is small (only 3 studies) — conclusions should be considered preliminary. One meta-analysis showed high heterogeneity (I² = 86.9%), indicating inconsistent effects across trials. The most recent RCT (2026) found no significant effect, which may temper earlier positive findings.
total cholesterol (SMD: -0.33; 95% CI: -0.62, -0.03; I² = 86.9%)
The biomarkers analyzed included ... cholesterol, LDL, HDL, and triglycerides, which were longitudinally compared between both groups.
The subgroup analysis test showed that there was a significant effect of ACN on triglyceride concentrations, total cholesterol, LDL-C and HDL-C concentrations in all subgroups of participants (with vs. without dyslipidemia at baseline) and intervention type (supplement/extract vs. food).