All-Natural Way To Lower Cholesterol?

By Kevin DiDonato MS, CSCS, CES


Blueberries, which could be classified as a superfruit, have been linked to many improvements in overall health.

In fact, blueberries have been shown to prevent risks associated with heart disease, diabetes, cancer, and neurodegenerative disorders

However, their benefit does not stop there.

Research has shown that blueberries could improve symptoms associated with Metabolic Syndrome in overweight and obese individuals.

Plus, the consumption of blueberry juice has been shown to dramatically improve memory function in older adults.

Along with aging and obesity levels, there could be a rise in total and LDL cholesterol, which some studies link to an increase in cardiovascular disease risk.

However, the anthocyanins (powerful antioxidants) have been shown to reduce total and non-HDL cholesterol, therefore potentially improving your cardiovascular health.

According to a new study published in the European Journal of Nutrition, researchers may have discovered how the anthocyanins found in blueberries could potentially lower cholesterol levels.

Let me explain…

Blueberries and Cholesterol

According to the authors of this study, blueberries have been shown to lower cholesterol levels, which could improve your overall heart health.

However, the process for this is not very well understood.

The researchers wanted to find out how blueberries could help to lower cholesterol in your body.

They used a group of hamsters and administered blueberry extract at different doses into their food.

Also, the researchers showed that hamsters that were given low and high doses of blueberry extract showed a decrease in total cholesterol by six to 12%.

Plus, they also saw that the hamsters given the blueberry extract with their food, showed lower levels of cells that break down and use cholesterol in your body.

From their work, they concluded that the cholesterol lowering effects of blueberry anthocyanins (extract) was most likely caused by increasing the excretion of different sterols and by decreasing the activity of key enzymes found in your intestines, which could be responsible for cholesterol absorption and breakdown.

Although this research shows promise, the study was conducted on hamsters and still needs to be verified by other research and a potential trial on human subjects to show if the results translate over. However, this study is exciting and could show that including blueberries in your daily routine (including any type of medication you take) could be a positive way to lower cholesterol.

Blueberries for Health

Blueberries have been shown to be effective at improving many different aspects of health and wellness.

Blueberries have been shown to reduce heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and even some neurological diseases.

Now, a specialized antioxidant found in blueberries (anthocyanins) may provide benefits at reducing plasma cholesterol levels.

By including blueberries into a heart-healthy nutrition plan, you could lower your cholesterol levels and may improve your overall heart-health risk.


Heart Health Continued >>