New Research Links Wild Blueberries to Cardiovascular Health
The latest research into the health benefits of Wild Blueberries draws an exciting conclusion about the berry’s connection to cardiovascular disease. A number of recent studies have brought attention to Wild Blueberries and their role in combating oxidative stress. Now, a recent study, published in the Journal of Medicinal Food, and the Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry, contributes to the growing body of research into the positive effects of blueberries on vascular function, blood pressure, and atherosclerosis.
The study was lead by Dorothy Klimis-Zacas, Ph.D., Professor of Clinical Nutrition and lead researcher from the Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition at the University of Maine, Orono, who has conducted previous work in the field of Wild Blueberries and blood vessel function. She said by aiding in the maintenance of a functional endothelium — the thin layer of cells that line the interior surface of blood vessels — Wild Blueberries may help prevent vascular complications associated with hypertension.
The study confirms Wild Blueberry-enriched diets significantly diminish arterial constriction, which by regulating blood pressure and combating atherosclerosis, is a key to cardiovascular health. “If we can control oxidative stress and inflammation through diet, we could see a protective cardiovascular benefit,” said Klimis-Zacas. “Recently, we have also come to appreciate that the role of Wild Blueberry bioactive compounds and their metabolites is not only accomplished through their antioxidant properties but also through their ability to act as regulators of signal transduction pathways and may also affect gene expression.”
“Studies like these make it clear that food truly can be medicine and that healthy eating is critical to a long and healthy life,” said Susan Davis, MS, RD, Nutrition Advisor to the Wild Blueberry Association of North America. Having one cup of fruits and vegetables at every meal can pay large dividends in health, Davis said, and recognized the particular potency of Wild Blueberries when in comes to supporting disease prevention: USDA research findings using the Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity (ORAC) measure ranked Wild Blueberries highest in antioxidant capacity per serving.
Wild Blueberries continue to be in the news for their role in protecting against oxidative cell damage, which can lead to conditions like Alzheimer’s disease, cancer and heart disease. Heart disease, which is characterized by chronic inflammation of the blood vessels, is a primary health concern in many countries, and the U.S in particular. Ultimately, research like that of Klimis-Zacas is helping to contribute to cardiovascular disease prevention by furthering the understanding of the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of blue-purple foods like the Wild Blueberry. While combating disease is no simple task, eating a serving of Wild Blueberries is a simple and enjoyable way to help support your efforts at prevention.
Read more about the work of Klimis-Zacas and her team.
