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Eating blueberries every day improves heart health
Medical XPress ^ | May 30, 2019 | University of East Anglia
FR Posted by ConservativeMind

New findings published today show that eating 150g (1 cup) of blueberries daily reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease by up to 15 percent. The team set out to see whether eating blueberries had any effect on Metabolic Syndrome—a condition, affecting one-third of westernised adults, which comprises at least three of the following risk factors: high blood pressure, high blood sugar, excess body fat around the waist, low levels of ‘good cholesterol’ and high levels of triglycerides. “Previous studies have indicated that people who regularly eat blueberries have a reduced risk of developing conditions including type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. This may be because blueberries are high in naturally occurring compounds called anthocyanins, which are the flavonoids responsible for the red and blue color in fruits.

The team investigated the effects of eating blueberries daily in 138 overweight and obese people, aged between 50 and 75, with Metabolic Syndrome. The six-month study was the longest trial of its kind. They looked at the benefits of eating 150 gram portions (one cup) compared to 75 gram portions (half a cup). The participants consumed the blueberries in freeze-dried form and a placebo group was given a purple-colored alternative made of artificial colors and flavorings. Co-lead, Dr. Peter Curtis, also from UEA’s Norwich Medical School, said: “We found that eating one cup of blueberries per day resulted in sustained improvements in vascular function and arterial stiffness—making enough of a difference to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease by between 12 and 15 percent.

“The simple and attainable message is to consume one cup of blueberries daily to improve cardiovascular health. “Unexpectedly, we found no benefit of a smaller 75 gram (half cup) daily intake of blueberries in this at-risk group.” (Excerpt) Read more at medicalxpress.com ...