Can Blueberry Juice Help Lower “Bad” Cholesterol?
The relationship between cranberries and cholesterol does not stop there, because this berry from other antioxidant capacities that can eliminate free radicals and help prevent cardiovascular disease (heart and circulation).
According to a study conducted by experts from the University of Scranton, Pennsylvania, drinking three glasses of blueberry juice a day can increase the level of HDL cholesterol (“good” cholesterol) and levels of antioxidants in the blood, which helps reduce the risk of heart disease, presented at the annual meeting of the American Chemical Society.
The authors examined the cholesterol levels of 19 people who already had high cholesterol levels. Ten of them drank blueberry juice with artificial sweeteners, while the others drank the same juice but without sweeteners or sugar. Both drinks contained 27 percent pure blueberry juice, the same amount you can buy in the supermarket.
While there was no change in total cholesterol levels, HDL cholesterol increased by an average of 10%. This increase equates to an approximately 40% reduction in the risk of heart disease.
Similarly, antioxidant levels were associated with a reduction in heart risk, increasing to 121%. The beneficial effects of blueberries may be due to their high levels of powerful antioxidants known as polyphenols.
If blueberry juice is not available, there are other healthy alternatives. Orange juice and grape juice can boost antioxidant levels, although grape juice tends to increase LDL (“bad” cholesterol).
Cranberries And Cholesterol: Everything You Need To Know
Learn about the relationship between cranberries and cholesterol, and how eating cranberries can increase good cholesterol (HDL) and help prevent cardiovascular disease.
Cranberries are one of the most nutritious berries and are traditionally used in desserts, jams, yogurts and smoothies. Once dried, they provide a sweetness that is very pleasant to the palate, but if there is one thing that stands out about blueberries, it is their many health properties.
This berry was also used in ancient times as a poultice for wounds, tumors and to prevent scurvy. This disease is very common among sailors because of the lack of vitamin C.
Although some of its main benefits are known, cranberries have a positive effect on cholesterol. Research at the University of Scranton (Pennsylvania) has shown that three glasses of cranberry juice per day can increase good cholesterol (HDL) levels by 10 percent and reduce the risk of heart disease by 40 percent.
The relationship between cranberries and cholesterol does not stop there, since this berry from other antioxidant capacities that allows to eliminate free radicals and helps to prevent cardiovascular disease (heart and circulation). Finally, studies at the University of Laval (Quebec) have shown that blueberries increase HDL and good cholesterol (HDL) by containing pterin (another natural antioxidant) and have the ability to lower bad cholesterol (LDL).
Other Outstanding Benefits Of Blueberries
The continuous research on this fruit suggests that we should include it in our balanced diet or through supplements.
Antioxidant: due to this function, it acts against several diseases. The quality of blueberries as a supplement is measured by the ORAC value, which quantifies the antioxidant capacity of the food and reduces the reactivity of certain free radicals.
- High blood pressure: Like other wild fruits, blueberries contain the natural compound anthocyanin, which may prevent high blood pressure. This was the conclusion of a recent British-American study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition involving about 157,000 men and women.
- Infections: Some clinical studies have positioned cranberry as one of the best treatments for cystitis and urinary tract infections in men, especially in women. Cranberries contain proanthocyanidins, which work by not adhering and sticking to certain walls, such as H. pylori, gingivitis, stomach ulcers and in the urinary tract. Due to this anti-adhesion ability, it allows bacteria not to adhere to the body and, therefore, not to get sick, because such reproduction becomes impossible. Several studies conducted by Harvard University concluded that the consumption of cranberries helped improve urinary tract infections in women by 40%.
Given all of these health properties, we encourage you to incorporate cranberries into your daily diet or through convenient capsule supplements. Because of its wide range of uses, it can be taken safely by pregnant women.
