Eating 150g of blueberries every day can improve your heart health and reduce the risk factors of cardiovascular disease by 15%, a new study has found.
Findings by the UEA’s Department of Nutrition and Preventive Medicine explained that blueberries, blackberries and strawberries should be included in new dietary strategies.
The researchers set out to see if eating blueberries on a daily basis had any effect on Metabolic Syndrome, a medical term to cover diabetes, high blood pressure and obesity.
As part of the study, they analysed 138 people over a six-month period aged between 50 and 75 who were classified as overweight. They looked at the benefits of eating 150g of blueberries every day and compared them to another group who ate just 75g.
The results found that...
- Eating blueberries can reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease by between 12% and 15%
- People who eat blueberries have a reduced risk of developing conditions such as type two diabetes
"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%," Dr Peter Curtis, co-leader of the study explained.
"The simple and attainable message is to consume one cup of blueberries daily to improve cardiovascular health," Peter continues.
Full of antioxidants and high in nutrients, blueberries are also known for helping against cancer and lowering blood pressure.
As well as making a delicious snack on their own, blueberries can also be added into many recipes, topped on porridge or blended into smoothies. Plus, they're easy to grow in the garden yourself — they just need plenty of sunlight and water.
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