If your go-to breakfast includes blueberries, you may unknowingly be reducing your risk of heart disease , a new study has revealed.
Researchers from the University of East Anglia have revealed that eating a cup of blueberries a day reduces the risk of heart disease by up to 15%.
In the study, the team investigated the effects of eating blueberries daily in 138 overweight and obese people with Metabolic Syndrome - a condition that significantly increases the risk of heart disease, stroke and diabetes.
Some of the participants, who were aged between 50 and 75, ate 150g of blueberries every day for six months, while others were given a placebo.
Dr Peter Curtis, co-author of the study, said: “We found that eating one cup of blueberries per day resulted in sustained improvements in vascular function and arterial stiffness - making enough of a difference to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease by between 12 and 15 per cent.
"The simple and attainable message is to consume one cup of blueberries daily to improve cardiovascular health.
"Unexpectedly, we found no benefit of a smaller 75 gram (half cup) daily intake of blueberries in this at-risk group.
“It is possible that higher daily intakes may be needed for heart health benefits in obese, at-risk populations, compared with the general population."
While the researchers didn't reveal why blueberries can reduce heart disease risk, the findings indicate that consuming the fruit could be an easy way to reduce your risk.
Looks like it’s blueberry pancakes for me this weekend then!
