Researchers gathered up 40 people and told them to either consume 200 grams of wild blueberries per day (blended into a smoothie) or control drinks without blueberries for one month.
Here’s what happened: The subjects consuming blueberries reduced their blood pressure by 5mmHg, which is about what a prescription hypertension drug can do. Blood vessel function improved and cardiovascular disease 11 risk factors decreased. The control group showed no improvements.
One researcher noted, “If the changes we saw in blood vessel function after eating blueberries every day could be sustained for a person’s whole life, it could reduce their risk of developing cardiovascular disease by up to 20%.”