California Raisins and Leslie Sansone Take Smart Steps to Heart Health

FRESNO, Calif., April 6 /PRNewswire/ -- It is well known that a balanced diet and regular exercise are the cornerstones of a healthy lifestyle.  However, many are unaware that the right combination of diet and exercise can also provide added benefits. Recent research* shows that eating raisins combined with walking may reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease in 50 to 70 year-old men and postmenopausal women. The results of this study were the motivation for a new partnership between the California Raisin Marketing Board and the founder of the Walk at Home fitness program and walking expert Leslie Sansone.

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"I believe that staying fit doesn't need to be expensive or intimidating. That's why raisins and walking are such a perfect match – both fit this criteria," says Sansone. "Did you know that raisins cost less than 20 cents per ounce and contain fiber, antioxidants and potassium? And they're so easy to incorporate into your diet, whether eaten alone, used as a topping on cereal or yogurt, or as a convenient post-walk snack."

California Raisins are one of the most versatile, economical and convenient fruit choices available. Just 1/4-cup of raisins counts as a serving of fruit for adults; 90 percent of whom fail to consume the daily recommended servings of fruits and vegetables. The combination of a healthy diet incorporating nutritious snacks like raisins and regular exercise such as the Walk at Home program may not only deliver important health benefits, but the combination can be fun and delicious, too.  

Sansone's latest addition to the Walk at Home DVD series is titled "3 Mile Slim & Sleek Plus Pilates." Sansone, who has been teaching walking for fitness for more than 27 years, recently took the California Raisin Mascot through the paces of the Walk at Home program, which is available free for consumers to watch and walk along to at www.loveyourraisins.com and at www.walkathome.com.  Sansone also demonstrates making a batch of California Raisin Grab n' Go Energy Bars on the video, an ideal snack for a pre-walk energy boost.

*The study by researchers at the University of Connecticut was completed in February 2009 and published in the journal Metabolism: Clinical and Experimental. Researchers found that walking and daily consumption of raisins (1 cup) decreased low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels in the blood stream. Survey participants included 50 to 70 year-old men and postmenopausal women. The research was funded by the California Raisin Marketing Board.

About the California Raisin Marketing Board

The California Raisin Marketing Board was created by a State Marketing Order in 1998 and is 100 percent grower funded. Its mission is to support and promote the increased use of California-grown raisins and sponsor crop production, nutrition and market research. To learn more about the California Raisin Marketing Board, visit their Web site at www.LoveYourRaisins.com.

SOURCE California Raisin Marketing Board