Blueberries reduce the risk for cardiovascular disease

Inflammation and oxidative stress are large contributors to the development and progression of cardiovascular diseases including hypertension, atherosclerosis and heart failure.

The plant compounds that make blueberries that rich shade of blue are called anthocyanin, and they are powerful antioxidants that help protect the structures of the entire vascular system.

Research by University of Maine, Orono, concluded that a diet containing wild blueberries may reduce the risk from cardiovascular disease.

The anthocyanins in blueberries and also other berries can reduce the levels of total plasma cholesterol and LDL cholesterol.

In addition to the roles that various vitamins and minerals play in human nutrition, blueberries contain many antioxidants, phytosterols, enzymes and other phytochemicals that may benefits human health. These may work independent of, or in concert with, existing nutrients.

Many of these compounds have been elated to reduced risk for coronary heart disease and cancer as well as reducing inflammation processes.

Polyphenolic fractions from blueberry protected membrane lipids from oxidation. The polyphenols also reduced the up-regulation of inflammatory mediator involved in the recruitment of leucocytes to sites of endothelial inflammation or damage.

This is to suggest that blueberry bioactives may have protective, beneficial actions against oxidative and inflammatory stress in the vascular system.
Blueberries reduce the risk for cardiovascular disease