Eating a cup of blueberries a day reduces risk factors for cardiovascular disease—according to new research led by the University of East Anglia (UEA), in collaboration with colleagues from Harvard and across the United Kingdom.

New findings published today in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition show that eating 150 g of blueberries daily reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease by up to 15%.

The research team from UEA's Department of Nutrition and Preventive Medicine, Norwich Medical School, say that blueberries and other berries should be included in dietary strategies to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease—particularly among at-risk groups.

The team set out to see whether eating blueberries had any effect on metabolic syndrome—a condition affecting one-third of westernized adults, which comprises at least three of the following risk factors: high blood pressure, high blood sugar, excess body fat around the waist, low levels of "good cholesterol," and high levels of triglycerides.

Lead researcher professor Aedin Cassidy, from UEA's Norwich Medical School, said, "Having metabolic syndrome significantly increases the risk of heart disease, stroke, and diabetes, and often, statins and other medications are prescribed to help control this risk. It's widely recognized that lifestyle changes, including making simple changes to food choices, can also help. Previous studies have indicated that people who regularly eat blueberries have a reduced risk of developing conditions including type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. This may be because blueberries are high in naturally occurring compounds called anthocyanins, which are the flavonoids responsible for the red and blue color in fruits. We wanted to find out whether eating blueberries could help people who have already been identified as being at risk of developing these sort of conditions."

The team investigated the effects of eating blueberries daily in 138 overweight and obese people, aged between 50 and 75, with metabolic syndrome. The 6-month study was the longest trial of its kind.

They looked at the benefits of eating 150-g portions (one cup) compared to 75-g portions (half a cup). The participants consumed the blueberries in freeze-dried form and a placebo group was given a purple-colored alternative made of artificial colors and flavorings.

Co-lead, Dr. Peter Curtis, also from UEA's Norwich Medical School, said, "We found that eating one cup of blueberries per day resulted in sustained improvements in vascular function and arterial stiffness—making enough of a difference to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease by between 12% and 15%.

"The simple and attainable message is to consume one cup of blueberries daily to improve cardiovascular health. Unexpectedly, we found no benefit of a smaller 75-g (half cup) daily intake of blueberries in this at-risk group. It is possible that higher daily intakes may be needed for heart health benefits in obese, at-risk populations, compared with the general population."