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Added: 10/9/2009
“The consumption of moderate amounts of berries resulted in favorable changes in platelet function, HDL cholesterol and blood pressure,” researchers from Finland noted, adding: “The results indicate that regular consumption of berries may play a role in the prevention of cardiovascular disease.”
Introducing their study, reported in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, researchers said: “Berries are a particularly rich source of polyphenols. They also contain other bioactive substances, such as vitamin C. Previous studies indicated that the consumption of polyphenol-rich foods (e.g. cocoa, tea and red wine) may induce beneficial changes in pathways related to cardiovascular health. Whether the consumption of berries has similar effects is unknown.”
Researchers enrolled 72 middle-aged subjects with cardiovascular risk factors to participate in a single-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled intervention trial. The participants were randomly assigned to consume either berries or control products for eight weeks. Every other day the berry group consumed 100 grams of bilberries and 50 grams of lingonberries. On the other days, they consumed 100 grams of blackcurrants or strawberries.
At the end of the study, researchers found that HDL cholesterol levels increased significantly by over five percent in the berry group in comparison to the control group, which only increased 0.6%. The berry group also experienced an 11% decrease in platelet function in comparison to the control group, which had only a 1.4% decrease. In addition, blood pressure in the berry group decreased significantly compared to the control group.
American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 87(2):323-331, 2008
