Blueberries May Lower Blood Pressure
Blueberries appear to have significant benefits for people with high blood pressure, a major risk factor for some of the world’s leading killers.
In one study, obese individuals at a high risk for heart disease noted a 4-6% reduction in blood pressure, after consuming 50 grams (1.7 ounces) of blueberries per day, for eight weeks.
Other studies have found similar effects, especially when looking at post-menopausal women.
Given that high blood pressure is one of the leading drivers of heart attacks and strokes, the implications of this are potentially massive.
Bottom Line: Regular blueberry intake has been shown to lower blood pressure in numerous studies.
Blueberries May Help Prevent Heart Disease
Again, eating blueberries may lower blood pressure and oxidized LDL.
However, it’s important to realize that these are risk factors, not actual diseases.
What we really want to know is whether blueberries help prevent hard endpoints like heart attacks, which are the world’s biggest killer.
In a 2013 study on 93,600 nurses, eating plenty of anthocyanins (the main antioxidants in blueberries) was linked to a 32% lower risk of heart attacks.
This was an observational study, so it can not prove that the blueberries caused the reduction in risk, but it seems likely given the known beneficial effects on risk factors.
Bottom Line: There is some evidence that regular blueberry consumption can help prevent heart attacks.
Blueberries Protect Cholesterol in The Blood From Becoming Damaged
Oxidative damage is not limited to our cells and DNA.
It is also problematic when our circulating LDL lipoproteins (the “bad” cholesterol) are oxidized.
In fact, oxidation of LDL is a crucial step in the heart disease process.
Fortunately for us, the antioxidants in blueberries are strongly linked to reduced levels of oxidized LDL.
A daily 50 gram serving of blueberries lowered LDL oxidation by 27% in obese participants, after a period of eight weeks.
Another study showed that 75 grams of blueberries with a main meal significantly reduced the oxidation of LDL lipoproteins.
Bottom Line: The antioxidants in blueberries have been shown to protect LDL lipoproteins (the “bad” cholesterol) from oxidative damage, a crucial step in the pathway towards heart disease.
We want to help you be able to increase your organic wild Maine blueberry intake by offering a 15% discount off your online order until March 3, 2017! At checkout, enter the coupon code BLUEBERRIES to receive your discount on your entire order.
We are wild Maine blueberries because we didn't plant them,
and we are organic because we care. Enjoy!
Commenti