Strawberry Boosts Heart Health

Posted on Jan. 2, 2012, 6 a.m. in Cardio-Vascular | Functional Foods | Weight and Obesity |
Strawberry Boosts Heart Health

Previous studies have suggested that strawberry powder helps to lower LDL ("bad") cholesterol, and improve the LDL-to-HDL profile. Susan J. Zunino, from the United States Department of Agriculture’s Western Human Nutrition Research Center (California, USA), and colleagues completed a study involving 20 obese but otherwise healthy subjects, ages 20 to 50 years. Each subject consumed the daily equivalent of four servings of frozen strawberries as a freeze-dried powder in a milkshake, yogurt, cream cheese, or beverage; or the same products with no added powder. After three weeks, total cholesterol decreased by 4%, and the LDL-to-HDL profile improved, in the strawberry powder-consuming subjects.  Noting that 2 g of fiber are present in every 100 g of strawberries, the researchers submit that fiber may be responsible for the cholesterol-lowering benefits of strawberries.  The study authors conclude that: "Dietary strawberry powder reduced risk factors for [cardiovascular disease], stroke and diabetes in obese volunteers, suggesting a potential role for strawberries as a dietary means to decrease obesity-related disease.”

Continue reading…

Susan J. Zunino, Mardi A. Parelman, Tammy L. Freytag, Charles B. Stephensen, Darshan S. Kelley, Bruce E. Mackey, Leslie R. Woodhouse, Ellen L. Bonnel.  “Effects of dietary strawberry powder on blood lipids and inflammatory markers in obese human subjects.” British J Nutr., 9 November 2011.

  

Health Headlines MORE »

Lifting less weight more times is just as effective at building muscle as training with heavy weights.
People with age-related macular degeneration may be at up to 50% increased risk for both ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke.
Carvacrol, a compound found in oregano, is shown to induce prostate cancer cell death.
People who live in city centers are twice as likely to suffer from coronary artery calcification, a common precursor to heart disease.
The high acidity levels in sports and energy drinks erode tooth enamel.
Levels of C-Reactive Protein (CRP) fell by 26% among subjects who received supplementation with resveratrol-rich grape extract for one year.
Rich in antioxidants, blueberries and strawberries may delay memory decline in older women by 2.5 years.
Teens who consumed 35 grams of protein at breakfast reported greater feelings of fullness and showed improved hormone responses.
Eating pistachios may positively impact bacterial profile of the digestive tract.

ANTI-AGING TIP OF THE DAY

275. Sustainable Environment Supports Human Health
What’s good for the planet is good for people. Researchers from Arizona State University (Arizona, USA) completed a meta-analysis of 120 peer-reviewed publications on the health effects of plastics and plasticizers in lab animals and humans. This study reiterates the fact that the effects to the environment from plastic waste are acute. In the U.S., the average person produces a half-pound of plastic waste every day, and as such, adverse effects to human health are a potential area for grave concern...