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Some studies on anthocyanins have revealed their antioxidant activity and beneficial effects for diabetes control and reducing the risk of coronary heart diseases. It has been found that sour cherries contain high levels of anthocyanins that possess insulin‐releasing stimulatory properties on pancreatic β‐cells in vitro. The purpose of this paper is to investigate whether concentrated sour cherry juice (CSCJ) beneficially alters serum glucose and some cardiovascular risk factors in diabetes type 2 subjects.

In this quasi‐experimental study, 19 diabetic women with FBS ≥ 110 mg/dl were recruited from patients referred to the Diabetes Clinic of Shariati Hospital. Subjects were asked to consume 40 g of CSCJ daily for 6 weeks. Before the onset of the study (week 0) and after 6 weeks, weight and blood pressure measurements were done and fasting blood samples were drawn. FBS, hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) and blood lipid profiles were measured. In addition, a 24‐hour food record was taken from all of the individuals in both stages. The Wilcoxon signed test was used for statistical analysis.

After six weeks' consumption of CSCJ, significant reductions in body weight (p < 0.01), blood pressure and HbA1c (p < 0.05) was seen. Total cholesterol and LDL‐C decreased significantly in a sub‐group of patients (n = 12) with LDL‐C ≥ 100 mg/dl as well.

Based on the results of this study, consuming 40 g/day of CSCJ decreases body weight, blood pressure and HbA1c in diabetes type 2 women after 6 weeks and improves blood lipids in diabetic patients with hyperlipidemia.

This study aims to investigate the association of vitamin D intake and the risk of depression, anxiety and stress among Tehranian female adolescents.

This cross-sectional analysis included 263 participants. A valid and reliable food frequency questionnaire was used to determine dietary intake of vitamin D. Depression, anxiety and stress scores were characterized by Depression Anxiety Stress Score-21 questionnaire. Multivariable logistic regression was used to estimate the odds ratio (OR) for the occurrence of depression, anxiety and stress according to the tertiles of vitamin D intake.

The mean ± standard deviation age and body mass index (BMI) of participants were 16.2 ± 1.0 years and 22.2 ± 4.1 kg/m², respectively. Mean score of depression, anxiety and stress of participants were 9.8 (low-grade depression), 8.4 (low-grade anxiety) and 14.0 (borderline for stress), respectively. In the final model, after adjustment for age, BMI, physical activity, mother/father’s education level, dietary fiber and total energy intake, the OR for depression in the highest compared to the lowest tertile of vitamin D intake was 0.53 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.24–0.98) (p for trend: 0.040). Moreover, based on the fully adjusted model, participants in the highest tertile of vitamin D intake had lower odds of stress (OR: 0.49; 95% CI: 0.23–0.93), in comparison to those in the lowest one (p for trend: 0.021).

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study to assess the association of vitamin D intake and risk of psychological disorders, including depression, stress and anxiety in Middle East and North Africa region’s female adolescents.