In a month-long study of 40 healthy volunteers, researchers at King’s College London discovered that daily consumption of 200 grams of blueberries resulted in improved blood vessel function and decreased systolic blood pressure, health benefits that may be due to the vascular effects of anthocyanins, which predominantly circulate in blood as phenolic acid metabolites.
During the study, the scientists monitored the volunteers’ blood and urine as well as their blood pressure and flow-mediated dilation of the brachial artery, a biomarker of cardiovascular disease risk. They found that daily one-month wild blueberry consumption increased flow-mediated dilation and lowered 24-hour ambulatory systolic blood pressure. A further study compared the effects of a blueberry drink with those of purified anthocyanins as well as with control drinks containing similar levels of either fiber, mineral, or vitamins found in blueberries. The effects were similar to those of wild blueberries containing similar amounts of anthocyanins while the control drinks had no significant effect.
The further study also revealed that the effects on blood vessel function, which were noted two hours after consumption, were sustained for one month, with blood pressure reduced by 5mmHg over the course of the month. The drinks containing purified anthocyanins also led to improvements in the functioning of endothelial cells, which act as a barrier between the blood or lymph and surrounding body tissue, in addition to playing a key role in blood clotting and regulating blood pressure.
The researchers conclude that their results identify anthocyanin metabolites as major mediators of vascular bioactivities of blueberries and changes of cellular gene programs.
Source: IFT
