Summertime Treat Shows Heart Health Benefits

Strawberries, the traditional summer treat, could also yield some unexpected health benefits. Scientists at the University of Warwick have been studying the beneficial effects of strawberries for our cardiovascular health—in particular, how they might help to prevent the development of heart disease and type 2 diabetes.

Professor Paul Thornalley from Warwick Medical School headed up a group of researchers who discovered that extracts from strawberries positively activate a protein in our bodies known as Nrf2 which is shown to increase antioxidant and other naturally protective activities. This protein also works to decrease blood lipids and cholesterol, two well-known contributors to cardiovascular complications.

Another little-known fact is that strawberries actually contain more vitamin C, pound for pound, than many other fruits, including oranges. This is especially noteworthy in light of the fact that this classic vitamin has recently been observed to offer benefits for blood pressure, fortifying not only the case for a little extra indulgence this season, but bolstering our cardiovascular health in the process.

Eating strawberries has previously been found to assist in mitigating post-meal blood glucose levels and low-density lipoprotein, or ‘bad’ cholesterol, thereby decreasing the risk of diabetes and heart disease. This study, however, represents the first time that the nutrients found in strawberries have been proven to actively stimulate proteins that offer truly disease-protective capabilities.

In the interests of additional research, newly-developed screening and mathematical modeling techniques developed at the University of Warwick can take this research further to help identify the best varieties of strawberries, how they are served or processed, and how many strawberries should be eaten for optimum health benefit. For now, rest assured that most types will offer these benefits to a greater or lesser degree. This should be reason enough to make it to the nearest orchard sometime this summer; remember, it’s all about the research!

Paul Carlotta is the leading expert in Market America and Nutraceuticals.  To learn more, visit http://www.isotonicvitamins.com today.