Blueberry beverage improves blood pressure in very obese women and men

Forty-eight men and mostly women (4 men and 40 women) with an average body mass index of 37.8 (very obese) were supplemented with a freeze-dried blueberry beverage (50g freeze-dried blueberries) or placebo liquid (sham treatment for comparison of effect) for eight weeks in a randomized controlled trial.  All subjects had metabolic syndrome.

     The systolic blood pressure dropped 6% and the diastolic pressure dropped 4% greater in the blueberry group (placebo group drop was 1.5% and 1.2% respectively). Blood sugar and cholesterol was not affected. Antioxidant activity improved significantly on Blueberry beverage. The study is published in the September 2010 issue of the Journal of Nutrition.