Polyphenol-Rich Cranberry Beverage Positively Affected Skin Health, Skin Lipids, Skin Microbiome, Inflammation, and Oxidative Stress in Women in a Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

This study aimed to determine whether a polyphenol-rich cranberry beverage affects skin properties, lipids, and the microbiome in women using a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled, cross-over design. Twenty-two women with Fitzpatrick skin types 2-3 were randomized to drink a cranberry beverage or placebo for six weeks. After a 21-day washout, they consumed the opposite beverage for six weeks. Six weeks of cranberry beverage significantly reduced UVB-induced erythema, improved net elasticity on the face and forearm, smoothness on the face, and gross elasticity on the forearm compared to the placebo. When stratified by age, these effects of the cranberry beverage were primarily observed in women >40 years old. SOD activities were improved after six weeks of cranberry beverage consumption compared to the placebo, while glutathione peroxide and TNF-α were improved compared to baseline. These effects were found to differ by age group. Skin lipid composition was modulated by both the cranberry beverage and the placebo. Cranberry beverages did not change α- or β-diversity but altered the abundance of several skin microbes at the species and strain level. Consumption of a cranberry beverage for six weeks improved specific skin properties and oxidative stress and modulated skin lipids and microbiome compared to placebo.

Keywords: cranberry; oxidative stress; photoaging; skin aging; skin lipids; skin microbiome.

Figure 1

The CONSORT flow diagram of the study shows the enrollment, randomization, participation, and data analysis throughout the study.

Figure 2

Plasma levels of SOD (A), GPx (B), AGE (C), TNF-α (D), IL-17 (E), and Hs-CRP (F) in all 22 participants. Plasma was collected at baseline and final time points after six weeks of cranberry beverage or placebo consumption. Results are expressed as mean ± SD. ^& is the significant difference between cranberry and placebo; ^# is the significant difference between final and baseline. SOD: superoxide dismutase, GPx: glutathione peroxide; IL-interleukin; TNF: tumor necrosis factor; Hs-CRP: high-sensitivity C-reactive protein.

Figure 3

Cranberry beverage intake altered skin lipids compared to baseline and placebo. Panels (A1,B1,C1) are score plots derived from paired partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLS-DA). Panels (A2,B2,C2) are corresponding cross-validated score plots. Each dot represents a participant (n = 20).

Figure 4

Spearman correlation of discriminant skin lipids, skin parameters, and blood biomarkers for all participants (n = 20). Different colors represent differences in Rho value. The bold black outlines indicate significant correlations.

Figure 5

Cranberry beverage intake affected the relative abundance of differential taxa at the species level. The q values were calculated by MaAsLin2. The boxes represent the interquartile range (IQR) between the first and third quartiles. Dots indicate individual participants.

Figure 6

Cranberry beverage intake affected the relative abundance of differential taxa at the strain level. The q values were calculated by MaAsLin2. The boxes represent the interquartile range (IQR) between the first and third quartiles. Dots indicate individual participants.

Figure 7

Significantly changed microbial taxa correlated with skin parameters, oxidative stress, and inflammatory biomarkers. Significant correlations were identified using MaAsLin2 and are plotted as (−log(q-value) * sign(coeff)). Significant positive or negative correlations were indicated by ‘+’ and ‘−‘.

Figure 8

Spearman correlations between discriminant skin lipids determined by paired PLS-DA and significantly changed microbial taxa determined by MaAsLin2. Different color values represent different Rho values. The bold black outline indicates significant correlations.