2.2. DSC Supplementation
weight gain
DSC concentrated juice, kindly provided by FruitSmartParticipants were given instructions to reconstitute DSC or placebo concentrated drinks and consume twice/day for 30 days without modifying their dietary patterns and physical activity. The reconstituted DSC drink contained 50 mL DSC concentrated juice, 3 g DSC powder and 150 mL water. In this study, DSC beverage containing DSC juice and powder was meant to be used as a supplementary fruit drink to supply phytochemicals and some fiber from the whole fruit to participants in a consistent and standardized presentation for easy compliance. The 400 mL total volume DSC drink intake per day exceeded the recommended 150 mL fruit juice per day which can count as 1 portion of the recommended five daily portions of fruit and vegetables. Drinking more than 150 mL fruit juice a day over an extended period may be linked to body weight gain due to the sugar content. Therefore, eating the whole fruit may be a healthier option because of dietary fiber and other nutrients and phytochemicals in skin and pulp. Treatment compliance was assessed with the daily self-intake report that was returned to the study coordinator at the end of the intervention. Participants were given verbal and written instructions to continue refraining from polyphenol-rich foods and nutritional supplements as in the run-in period and to refrain from berry intake during the study. 