Blueberries can Lower High BP and Cut Heart Disease Risk

Blueberries can lower the risk of heart disease in post-menopausal women with high blood pressure.

Highlights:

Blueberries can lower the risk of heart disease in post-menopausal women with high blood pressure
Polyphenols and polyphenol-rich foods like blueberries, can help reduce oxidative stress
Therefore, include blueberries to your daily diet and keep heart disease at bay

Eating blueberries can lower high blood pressure (BP) and reduce heart disease risk in post-menopausal women, reveals a new study.//

Health Benefits of Blueberries

Consumption of 22 g of freeze-dried highbush blueberry powder (equivalent to about 1 cup of fresh blueberries), mixed with water, taken daily for 12 weeks improved the function of the inner lining of blood vessels (called the endothelium), according to preliminary findings of a study. The finding was presented at the International Conference on Polyphenols and Health in London.

Blueberry-Enriched Diet Can Improve Renal Function
A new research has shown that blueberry-enriched diet can improve renal function and reduce oxidative stress.

‘Consume foods rich in polyphenols such as berries, cocoa, chocolate, tea, nuts, legumes, whole grains and spices.’

"We found an improvement in endothelial function which is important for human health, as endothelial dysfunction is linked to atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease development," said Sarah Ardanuy Johnson, from Colorado State University in the US.

"We also found evidence that blueberries improved endothelial function through reductions in oxidative stress in the body," she said.

Oxidative stress is the imbalance between free radicals and antioxidants in the body and can damage cells and tissues,

which promotes endothelial dysfunction and cardiovascular disease development.

Drink Blueberry Juice: Boost Brain Function in Older Adults in Just 3 Months
Blueberries are rich in flavonoids, possess antioxidant, anti-inflammatory properties and improves brain blood flow, brain activation and memory.

Previous research has demonstrated that polyphenols and polyphenol-rich foods like blueberries can reduce oxidative stress.

"To observe a direct link between reductions in oxidative stress and improvements in endothelial function in humans is exciting and provides insight into how blueberries promote cardiovascular health," Johnson said.

How to Lower High Blood Pressure? Eat Variety Of Protein Sources
Protein is one of the three basic macronutrients and the American Heart Association (AHA) recommends eating one to two servings of protein daily.

They performed a randomized clinical trial in 43 estrogen-deficient postmenopausal women aged 45-65 years with elevated blood pressure or stage 1-hypertension.

"We don’t fully understand the health benefits and how they interact in the human body," Johnson said of blueberries, "but we know that they’re really important to human health."

Black Tea Protects Against Blood Pressure and Heart Diseases
Drinking black tea regularly may lower the risk of developing heart diseases and high blood pressure.

The team is exploring the role of the gut microbiome in determining the cardiovascular-protective effects of blueberries and their polyphenols.

Johnson said the team observed increases in blood metabolites that are products of metabolism of anthocyanins (polyphenols found in blueberries that give them their blue color) and metabolism of polyphenols by the gut microbiome.

The key takeaway is that there are benefits to consuming blueberries on a regular basis to help improve cardiovascular health, she said,

adding that foods rich in phytochemicals may also include many fruits and vegetables, cocoa, chocolate, tea, nuts, legumes, whole grains, and spices.

Source-IANS