Blueberries could help reduce metabolic syndrome

A BOWL of blueberries could help protect against metabolic syndrome, with includes problems such as heart disease, diabetes and obesity.

Researchers fed obese lab rats a diet of blueberries over eight weeks; the equivalent of two cups a day for a human and found that it improved the relaxing and constricting in the blood vessels which had a significant impact on blood flow and blood pressure.

Blueberries are rich in polyphenols, the antioxidants that protect cells in the heart and help lower blood pressure. However, the researchers say it is best to eat the berries raw as heating the fruit affects the levels of some polyphenols, so avoid blueberry muffins and eat raw to get the maximum nutritional benefit.