An article published on 21 July in the Journal of Nutrition discussed a recent study where researchers, using a small amount (50g) of freeze-dried blueberries added to a drink given to 44 women and 4 men with metabolic syndrome, found it had a significant effect on reducing blood pressure and other cardiovascular indicators.
This is good news as it is easy to eat more blueberries daily, and wouldn’t it be lovely to think that some people with blood pressure on the cusp may find munching on blueberries is enough as an alternative to high blood pressure medicine?!
Metabolic syndrome is a group of measurable indicators that includes reduced HDL cholesterol, high triglycerides, high blood pressure, impaired glucose tolerance, abdominal obesity, high oxidative stress and inflammation. Having several of these risk factors increases the risk of developing cardiovascular disease and diabetes. And, unfortunately, more and more people have it.
At the end of 8 week study, all parameters were re-measured and they found that just this easily-consumed amount – about the equivalent of 2 cups of fresh bluberries – was enough to reduce systolic and diastolic blood pressure compared to the controls. They also found reductions in LDL, the baddy cholesterol, and lower oxidative stress in the body.
Get munching your blueberries! And whilst you’re at it, increase your garlic intake (not together, of course - yuk!)- I’ve never seen anything bring down blood pressure as fast as that. So, there you go, two foods you can use to help lower your blood pressure.
To read more about the study, go here: Blueberries Decrease Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Obese Men and Women with Metabolic Syndrome
