A daily dose of wild blueberries could improve cognitive and cardiovascular health.

Are you looking for an easy way to boost your cognitive and cardiovascular health? Look no further than the humble blueberry! According to a new study from King's College London Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, consuming just a handful of wild blueberries every day can bring a range of health benefits.

The study found that the anthocyanins found in blueberries are responsible for improving blood flow to the vessels and brain, which are two key factors in maintaining healthy cognitive functions. Anthocyanins are polyphenols, a group of plant compounds that are increasingly associated with many health benefits.

Participants who drank a beverage made from 26 g of freeze-dried wild blueberry powder daily for 12 weeks experienced a reduction in systolic blood pressure by 3.59 mmHg and improved vascular function compared to those who consumed a placebo powder. Additionally, blueberry consumers showed improved executive functions, enhanced short-term memory, and faster reaction times.

The study involved 61 healthy men and women aged 65-80 years. Half of them drank a beverage containing 26 g of freeze-dried wild blueberry powder every day, while the other half consumed a placebo that matched in taste, appearance, macronutrient content, fiber, and vitamin C.

Scientists believe that the beneficial effects of blueberries are due to their blue pigments called anthocyanins. Each daily dose of wild blueberry powder in the study contained 302 milligrams of anthocyanins, while the placebo drink contained none.

The mechanism behind the beneficial effects of polyphenols is not yet fully understood, but one theory suggests that polyphenol "metabolites may act as signaling molecules that operate through several cellular signaling pathways, modulating the biological availability of nitric oxide and various enzymes."

So, if you want to boost your cognitive and cardiovascular health, consider adding a cup of wild blueberries to your daily diet. And with the benefits of blueberries supported by a new study, there's no better time to start! gfBar contains 50% wild blueberries, which supports the benefits highlighted in this study. In one bar, you'll find the equivalent of 133.5 g of fresh wild blueberries.

Anthocyanins are polyphenols, a family of plant compounds that are increasingly associated with health benefits.

Although consuming a handful of wild blueberries every day isn't always easy, you can count on gfBar to provide enough of this superfood to benefit your cognitive and cardiovascular health.

Source: https://ajcn.nutrition.org/article/S0002-9165(23)46300-9/fulltext