New research has found that eating a handful of wild blueberries every day can make you healthier.
It can lower your blood pressure, improve your reaction time, and help your memory and thinking skills.
The research was done by the Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine at King’s College London and the University of Reading.
How the Study Was Done
The study involved 61 healthy men and women aged between 65 and 80. It was published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.
It was a trial where both the participants and researchers didn’t know who was getting what.
The participants either drank a beverage with a powder made from freeze-dried wild blueberries, or a drink that looked and tasted the same but didn’t have the blueberry powder.
What the Researchers Found
After twelve weeks, the researchers saw that the participants who had the berry powder drink were better at memory tasks and more accurate in tasks requiring attention.
They also had lower blood pressure. After having the berries, the participants’ blood pressure was lower compared to those who had the placebo drink.
They also had better blood vessel function, which reduces the risk of heart disease.
Researchers’ Insights
Dr. Ana Rodriguez-Mateos said, “This study is the first of its kind. It suggests that eating wild blueberries every day could lower the risk of heart disease by reducing blood pressure and improving blood vessel function.
We think that the blue pigments in blueberries, called anthocyanins, are behind these effects. Anthocyanins are a type of polyphenols also found in other foods like strawberries, raspberries, red grapes and purple vegetables.”
Professor Claire Williams, the head of the Neuroscience Department at the University of Reading, added, “This study shows that eating wild blueberries is good for both the brain and heart.
Those who had the blueberry powder showed signs of better memory and mental flexibility when doing brain tasks.
This fits with what we already know about the health benefits of foods rich in anthocyanins. It shows that polyphenols play a key role in healthy aging.”
The study was funded by the Wild Blueberry Association of North America. So, just a handful of wild blueberries every day can have significant health benefits, especially for older adults.
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The study was published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.
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