PORTLAND, Maine, June 19 ME-WildBlueberry-Diet
PORTLAND, Maine, June 19 /PRNewswire/ -- New research published in the
British Journal of Nutrition (Br J Nutr., Dec. 17, PMID: 18081945, 2007) shows
that blueberries may have a cardio-protective effect, by significantly
lowering cholesterol. Lead scientist, Wilhelmina Kalt, Ph.D, from Agriculture
and Agri-Food Canada conducted tests on pigs fed a
blueberry-supplemented diet. Blueberry-supplemented diets resulted in a
reduction in total cholesterol including both LDL and HDL levels. The
greatest reduction in total, LDL and HDL cholesterol levels was found in pigs
fed a 2% blueberry diet equivalent to approximately 2 one-cup servings of
blueberries in the human diet. According to the study, this could be
"...reasonably achieved in the adult human diet and suggests that the observed
effect from blueberry supplementation could occur in healthy humans."
"In feeding trials, we found that blueberry supplementation reduced plasma
cholesterol levels more effectively when the animals received a mostly
plant-based diet than when they received a less heart-healthy diet," said Dr.
Kalt. "The soy, oats and barley contained in these diets may have functioned
synergistically with the blueberries to beneficially affect plasma lipids."
According to Kalt, pigs were selected for study because they have levels
of LDL similar to humans and are susceptible to diet-induced vascular disease.
Pigs can also develop atherosclerotic plaques in the aorta and carotid artery,
and have a similar blood pressure and heart rate as humans.
The Antioxidant Power of Blueberries
The antioxidant activity of blueberries may help to explain their
potential cardio-protective effect observed in this study. Antioxidants are
free-radical quenchers, helping protect us against cellular oxidative damage
that can lead to heart disease, degenerating brain function such as in
Alzheimer's disease and some types of cancer. In a comprehensive study of the
antioxidant capacity of foods, using a test tube assay called ORAC (Oxygen
Radical Absorbing Capacity), blueberries ranked among the highest on the list.
(Wu, X. et al. J Agric Food Chem 2004, 52:4026-37.) The major contributors to
this high level of antioxidant activity are a family of compounds in
blueberries called polyphenols -- particularly the flavonoids. (Prior, R.L. et
al J Agric Food Chem. 1998, 46: 2686-93). "Flavonoids may act as antioxidants
to inhibit LDL oxidation and thereby protect against vascular insult by
oxidation," says Kalt. "Flavonoids may also reduce vascular inflammation
related to atherosclerosis."
Dr. Kalt advises consumers to choose blueberries along with other brightly
colored fruits and vegetables containing health-promoting antioxidants. The
USDA recommends between 1 to 2 1/2 cups of fruit per day depending on age,
gender and activity level. According to the USDA, just 1/2 cup of fruit
delivers one fruit serving. "Eating more fruits and vegetables will help with
weight control, disease prevention and promote healthy aging," said Kalt. "Get
your blues every day by eating at least 1/2 cup of blueberries as part of a
well-balanced diet."
SOURCE The Wild Blueberry Association of North America
