Eating blueberries every day ‘can improve cardiovascular health’ – how to get more into your diet
Good news for the small powerhouses that are blueberries, because new research has found that eating a cup a day can reduce risk factors for cardiovascular disease.
Scientists from the University of East Anglia led the study and set out to find whether eating blueberries could have an effect on Metabolic Syndrome – a condition which involves at least three of these risk factors: high blood pressure, high blood sugar, excess body fat around the waist, low levels of ‘good cholesterol’ and high levels of triglycerides (a type of fat found in the blood). Metabolic Syndrome affects a third of adults in the West, and it increases the risk of heart disease, stroke and diabetes.
Co-lead of the study Dr Peter Curtis from UEA’s Norwich Medical School 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.”
So there you have it – a cup of blueberries can really make a difference. However, it does seem like an awful lot if you’re not used to monitoring your daily blueberry intake – so here are some sneaky ways you can get more into your diet.
In drinks…
Even though blueberries are delicious, they don’t always have to be the star of the show. Next time you’re blending up a smoothie or juice why not include some berries? The best thing is they pretty much go with everything, from mangoes to bananas.
Frozen blueberries are always a good shout to have in your freezer because you don’t have to worry about them going off, and you can pop a handful into the blender whenever you fancy.
In breakfast…
If there’s one meal blueberries are perfect for, it’s breakfast. If you’re feeling fancy you could whip up a berry compote to go with your granola, but failing that a handful on top of your cereal or yoghurt will make the morning tastier and healthier.
Blueberries aren’t just great for cardiovascular health, they are also full of vitamin C so can help boost your skin and smooth out wrinkles.
In baking…
Everything from pancakes to waffles and muffins are improved by adding a few blueberries into the batter. We’re not suggesting you overload your diet with sugar, but maybe look for healthier options – like this recipe for muffins from Cookie and Kate which suggests using honey or maple syrup as a sweet substitute.
In savoury meals…
Even if you’re a berry lover, the idea of using them in dinner might seem like a step too far. But hear us out: they actually make for a perfectly tart sauce for all kinds of recipes. They traditionally pair best with duck – if you’re keen, give this recipe from Wild Blueberries a go.
And for a vegetarian dinner option, try using blueberries next time you’re making couscous – they add a sweet sharpness to the dish similar to pomegranate seeds.
The Press Association
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