Eating a moderate amount of berries may help increase HDL (or “good”) cholesterol and reduce blood pressure, providing healthy heart benefits, according to a new study. The berries include whole, pureed or juice forms of bilberries, lingonberries, black currants, strawberries, chokeberries, and raspberries.
Published in the February issue of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, the study looked at 72 middle-aged men and women with mild hypertension, elevated LDL “bad” cholesterol and low HDL cholesterol.
Half of the study participants ate two portions of berries every day for eight weeks. The participants who ate berries saw an increase in HDL cholesterol levels and a decrease in blood pressure.
Berries contain especially high levels of heart-healthy antioxidants known as polyphenols. Not a fan of berries? Some other foods with high levels of polyphenols include chocolate, red wine and tea.
Berry Good for the Heart
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