Eating blueberries could be good for your heart – Health



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According to a new British study conducted at the University of East Anglia, consuming 150 grams of blueberries a day could reduce the risk of developing heart disease.

The research, funded by the US Highbush Blueberry Council and published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, aimed to determine whether the consumption of blueberries had an effect on the metabolic syndrome, a set of metabolic problems increasing the risk of heart disease , most often high blood pressure, high blood sugar, excess body fat around the waist, low levels of "good cholesterol" and high levels of triglycerides.

According to a statement by researchers, "Previous studies have shown that people who consume blueberries regularly have a reduced risk of developing conditions such as type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease." This may be due to the fact that blueberries are rich in natural compounds called anthocyanins, the flavonoids responsible for the red and blue color of the fruits. "

Over the course of six months, researchers studied the effects of daily blueberry consumption in 138 overweight and obese patients with metabolic syndrome, aged 50 to 75 years.

The experiment compared the benefits of eating servings of 150 grams of blueberries a day to 75 gram servings. Participants ate freeze-dried blueberries, while a placebo group received a purple-colored alternative based on food coloring and artificial flavors.

Read also: Deaths due to heart failure increase in young adults: study

A 15% reduction in risk

"We found that consuming one cup of blueberries a day resulted in a lasting improvement in vascular function and arterial stiffness – a difference sufficient to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease by 12 to 15%," said Dr. Peter, co-author of the study. Curtis.

He added: "Surprisingly, we have not found any benefit from a daily intake of less than 75 grams (half a cup) of blueberries in this risk group.It is possible that higher daily intakes are needed. to improve heart health in obese people at risk populations compared to the general population. "

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