Preliminary Research On The Effects Of Blueberries On Blood Pressure, Arterial Stiffness In Postmenopausal Women

SAN DIEGO, April 25, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Initial research out of Florida State University investigated whether daily consumption of a freeze-dried blueberry powder supplement resulted in a reduction of blood pressure and arterial stiffness, a measure of cardiovascular disease risk, in postmenopausal women with pre- and stage 1-hypertension.^1,2  The initial findings will be presented on Saturday, April 26 by Sarah A. Johnson, PhD, RD, CSO, at the American Society for Nutrition's meeting held in conjunction with the Experimental Biology conference. 

Conducted over an eight-week period, forty postmenopausal women were randomly assigned to receive either 22 g freeze-dried highbush blueberry powder (the equivalent to one cup of fresh blueberries) or 22 g placebo powder daily. They were advised to maintain their usual diet and physical activity levels.

"The findings show that blueberries can be an important part of a positive diet and lifestyle strategy," said Dr. Johnson.

To view the abstract visit: http://www.fasebj.org/content/28/1_Supplement/117.6.abstract?sid=4c404a6b-74b5-4b25-9690-9b939b92ad7f 

Dr. Johnson has been nominated for the American Society for Nutrition's Clinical Emerging Leader Award for her role in this study. The award, which promotes interest in clinical and human nutrition to students in graduate programs, will be presented at the Experimental Biology conference. 

The research was funded by the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council (USHBC) and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).

About the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council

The U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council represents blueberry growers and packers in North and South America who market their blueberries in the United States and work to promote the growth and well-being of the entire blueberry industry. The blueberry industry is committed to providing blueberries that are grown, harvested, packed and shipped in clean, safe environments. Learn more at littlebluedynamos.com.

1. Johnson, S., Figueroa, A., Navaei, N., Wong, A., Kalfon, R., Feresin, R., Elam, M., Payton, M., Arjmandi, B. (2014). Blueberries exert antihypertensive and vascular-protective effects in postmenopausal women with pre- and stage 1-hypertension (117.6). The FASEB Journal, 28(1 Supplement).

2. Cecelja, M., & Chowienczyk, P. (2012). Role of arterial stiffness in cardiovascular disease. JRSM cardiovascular disease, 1(4), 11.

CONTACT:
Joanne Tehrani, MPH, RD
646-218-6036
[email protected]

SOURCE U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council