While looking for ways to grow old gracefully, nutrition and well-being are a part of it. Keeping fit and reducing stress are significant in maintaining a healthy body. Here Michelle Simmons, NaturalNews, reflects on giving your heart a break by regularly eating bilberries:

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“Today, cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in men and women. Fortunately, there are many ways to protect yourself from this disease. One way is to eat bilberries (Vaccinium Myrtillus) regularly. A recent study published in the journal Nutrition Research reveals that eating bilberries on a regular basis can help lower your risk of developing cardiovascular disease.

 

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For the study, a team of researchers from Slovakia, Portugal, and Poland investigated the effects of eating bilberries on cardiovascular disease. The research team hypothesized that regular consumption of bilberries can lower the risk of cardiovascular disease by reducing the levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and triglycerides, and increasing the levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL).

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To test their hypothesis, the research team recruited 25 women and 11 men and fed them with 150 grams (g) of frozen bilberries three times a week for six weeks. They also measured the body size and proportions of the participants, as well as their blood pressure, lipid profile, glucose, liver enzymes, creatinine, albumin, magnesium, and antiradical activity.

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The researchers found no significant changes in the body size and proportions of the participants, except for the body mass index (BMI) of women. Regular consumption of bilberries resulted in reductions in total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL cholesterol, glucose, albumin, and glutamyltransferase in women. It also led to a dramatic increase in HDL cholesterol.

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As for the men, the researchers observed favorable changes in their total cholesterol, glucose, albumin, aspartate aminotransferase, glutamyltransferase, and HDL levels. These results confirmed their hypothesis.

The researchers concluded that eating bilberries regularly is a simple way of preventing heart problems.

 

Bilberries help prevent the hardening of the arteries

An earlier study, published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, found that extracts from bilberry can prevent plaque buildup in the arteries. Stopping the accumulation of plaques prevents the development of atherosclerosis and improves overall heart health.”

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Read More … Article Source: https://www.naturalnews.com/2019-05-09-give-your-heart-a-break-and-eat-bilberries.html

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