Blueberries Improve Metabolic Syndrome, Heart Health

OKLAHOMA CITYThe anthocyanins that make blueberries blue are largely responsible for the tiny fruits antioxidant power. According to the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council, blueberries have an antioxidant capacity of 6,552 micromoles TE/100g. They are an excellent source of vitamin C and manganese, a good source of fiber, and have been linked to a range of health benefits, including bone health, brain health and protection against urinary tract infections.

Researchers at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center indicate blueberries may improve features of metabolic syndrome and related cardiovascular risk factors in obese men and women. For the study, published in The Journal of Nutrition, 48 participants (4 males and 44 females; BMI: 37.8 ± 2.3 kg/m²; age: 50.0 ± 3.0 y (mean ± SE)) with metabolic syndrome consumed a freeze-dried blueberry beverage or equivalent amounts of water for eight weeks. During the randomized controlled trial, fasting blood draws were conducted at screening and at weeks four and eight of the study. The decreases in systolic and diastolic blood pressures were greater in the blueberry-supplemented group ( 6 and 4%, respectively) than in controls ( 1.5 and 1.2%) (P lt 0.05). The serum glucose concentration and lipid profiles were not affected. The decreases in plasma oxidized LDL and serum malondialdehyde and hydroxynonenal concentrations were greater in the blueberry group ( 28 and 17%, respectively) than in the control group ( 9 and 9%) (P lt 0.01).