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Improvement of circulation thanks to the consumption of blueberries?
Heart disease is widespread and causes many deaths worldwide. Researchers have now discovered that daily consumption of blueberries can reduce the risk of heart disease.
The ongoing study at the University of East Anglia found that daily consumption of blueberries helps reduce the risk of heart disease. The results of the study were published in the English journal "American Journal of Clinical Nutrition".
Blueberry consumption reduces risk of heart disease by 12 to 15 percent
The researchers found that overweight adults, the 150 g blueberries a day had increased blood flow and arteries less stiff. New research has calculated that daily consumption of blueberries can reduce the risk of heart disease by 12 to 15%.
The study examined the effects of daily blueberry consumption on 138 overweight and obese adults. All participants were between 50 and 75 years old and all suffered from a so-called metabolic syndrome, a medical term for a combination of diabetes, hypertension, and obesity.
It is estimated that about one-third of adults in Western countries suffer from a syndrome that increases the risk of heart disease. All participants received 150 g or 75 g of freeze-dried blueberries daily or were asked to take a placebo.
Metabolic syndrome can lead to serious illness
The metabolic syndrome increases the risk of coronary heart disease, stroke and other diseases affecting the blood vessels. Diabetes, high blood pressure and obesity can damage blood vessels individually, but all three are especially dangerous, say the researchers. These are very common and related diseases, which is why so many adults are affected by the metabolic syndrome.
No benefit found by lower consumption
Consuming a cup of blueberries a day has been proven to permanently improve vascular function and arterial stiffness. This is enough to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease by 12 to 15%, report the study's authors. Unexpectedly, the decrease in daily consumption of blueberries (75 grams, half a cup) was of no benefit to the at-risk group of participants. According to the researchers, it is possible that in obese risk populations, a higher daily intake is needed to improve heart health, compared to the general population.
Blueberries protect against type 2 diabetes and heart disease
Previous studies have shown that people who consume blueberries regularly have a reduced risk of type 2 diabetes and heart disease. This may be because blueberries have a high percentage of natural compounds called anthocyanins, say the study's authors. These compounds are responsible in fruits of red and blue color. Other studies have already shown that they can improve some markers of heart disease. (As)
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