In this article, learn more about Blueberries Lower Blood Pressure. Regular consumption of blueberries has proven health benefits. Who are they?.
Blueberries are full of antioxidants, but that's obviously not all about their health and body benefits. Regular consumption shows a positive effect on cardiovascular health. In particular, the intake of 200 grams of blueberries per day contributed to lowering systolic blood pressure and improved blood vessel function in 40 volunteers in the study.
It is the work of a team from the Royal College of London, and the volunteers in it were divided into 2 groups - one took a drink rich in blueberries daily, the other drank another useful liquid.
The researchers performed urine tests, blood pressure and blood flow-mediated endothelium-dependent vasodilation (FMD) of the brachial artery. The latter measures how much the artery dilates with increasing blood flow, which is considered an accurate biomarker of the risk of cardiovascular disease.
Blueberries contain anthocyanins . This is a phytochemical that is responsible for the dark blue color of the fruit, pigmented antioxidant compounds. They are due to the coloring of fruits and vegetables in deep purple, pink, blue or red. The blueberry drink was rich in anthocyanins, as well as vitamins, fiber and minerals.
Two hours after consuming the blueberry drink, improved functioning of the blood vessels is observed. This effect was observed for four weeks even after night hours when no other food was eaten. The blood pressure of the volunteers dropped by 5 mmHg, which, according to experts, is equivalent to the effect achieved by taking medication to control it.
The researchers believe this is due to anthocyanins, which are known to improve endothelial cell function. These are cells that build a barrier between the lymph or blood and the surrounding tissue and play an important role in regulating blood pressure and blood clotting. It is possible, using the results of the study, to introduce such dietary changes that reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease by 20%.
This is not the first time that there are positive data on the health benefits of blueberries. They are useful not only for the heart but also for the brain against the development of neurodegenerative diseases, type 2 diabetes .
For example, regular consumption reduces the risk of metabolic disease by 26%, improves insulin sensitivity of cells. This was measured when consumed over a 6-week period.
If you are afraid of deteriorating memory and cognitive function in general , blueberries are the fruit. When consumed by elderly people for a period of 3 months, their gift is registered.
If you have a problem with weight loss , blueberries are also your fruit. Apparently, they work in some way and prevent the weight gain and fat accumulation that was observed in a study with twins.