A new study finds that a cup of blueberries a day can help reduce blood pressure in postmenopausal women. Forty-eight women with pre- and stage 1- hypertension participated in the 8-week study. The participants were randomly placed into one of two groups. The first group received 22 grams of freeze-dried blueberry powder each day, which is the equivalent of 1 cup of blueberries. The other group received 22 grams of a placebo powder. Otherwise, both groups continued their normal diet and exercise routines.

The women had their blood pressure evaluated at the beginning of the study, after 4-weeks of daily blueberry consumption, and again after the 8-week study completion. While no significant improvement was measured after 4-weeks, noteworthy reductions were observed after 8-weeks. The top number that measures the pressure in the arteries when the heart beats, also known as systolic blood pressure, saw a 5.1% average decrease in the first group. In addition, diastolic blood pressure, or the bottom number that measures the pressure in the arteries between heart beats, was reduced by 6.3% on average. There were no changes in the blood pressure of the participants in the placebo group.

This is good news for senior women, but it won’t help unless they actually get some blueberries into their diets. Many seniors in our elder care services are no longer cooking for themselves and will rely on too many prepackaged goods. Our senior care experts can get them the food they need — such as fresh fruits and veggies — to keep their bodies healthy.

If you or a loved one are in need of in-home services, contact us today.

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Source: Johnson S, Figueroa A, Navaei N, et al. Daily blueberry consumption improves blood pressure and arterial stiffness in postmenopausal women with pre- and stage 1-hypertension: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial. Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, 2015 March; 115 (3): 369-377.