Get Easy Health Digest™ in your inbox and don’t miss a thing when you subscribe today. Plus, get the free bonus report, Mother Nature’s Tips, Tricks and Remedies for Cholesterol, Blood Pressure & Blood Sugar as my way of saying welcome to the community!
How blueberries keep your blood pressure (and more!) in check
A team of researchers from King’s College in London found that drinking 200g (almost a cup) of blueberries every day for four weeks led to decreased systolic blood pressure (the top number of a blood pressure reading, which shows the amount of pressure in your arteries when your heart contracts).
Blueberries also improved blood vessel function in the 40 healthy volunteers who took part in the study.
During the month-long study, half the volunteers drank a blueberry beverage. All volunteers were monitored for blood pressure, as well as for flow-mediated dilation (FMD) of the brachial artery (how much the artery widens as blood flow increases). FMD is considered an accurate measure of cardiovascular disease risk.
The results?
«SPONSORED»
Drinking blueberries daily lowered blood pressure by 5mm Hg, comparable to what’s expected from using blood pressure medication.
The researchers followed up with another study, where they tested the results of a non-blueberry drink high in anthocyanins, an antioxidant component of blueberries that them their color.
They found that the anthocyanin drink helped with blood clotting and blood pressure regulation, but they still believed that the full scope of heart health benefits come from the entirety of consuming blueberries.
Other reasons to eat more blueberries right now
Not only will a handful of blueberries in your cereal or yogurt help you avoid high blood pressure, this superfood still protects your health in other ways:
Blueberries fuel your brain. After 12 weeks of drinking concentrated blueberry juice daily, a group of adults ages 65-77 showed increased blood flow to the brain, and significant increases in brain activity, including improvements in short-term (working) memory.
Blueberries pump up your immune system. Research at the Linus Pauling Institute at Oregon State University demonstrated that pterostilbene, a natural compound found in blueberries, works together with vitamin D to increase the expression of our natural disease-fighting genes.
Blueberries prevent atherosclerosis. Animal studies have shown that blueberries can help prevent the growth of plaques and lesions in the arteries, thus preventing the development of hardened arteries and stroke.
Editor’s note: Have you heard of EDTA chelation therapy? It was developed originally to remove lead and other contaminants, including heavy metals, from the body. Its uses now run the gamut from varicose veins to circulation. Click here to discover Chelation: Natural Miracle for Protecting Your Heart and Enhancing Your Health!
Sources:
- Blueberries and Blood Pressure — News-Medical.Net
- Recent Research on the Health Benefits of Blueberries and Their Anthocyanins — Advances in Nutrition
- Blueberry concentrate improves brain function in older people — University of Exeter
By Joyce Hollman
«SPONSORED»
