Mmm, mm, good! And they’re low carb
The Mediterranean diet was originally found to be a healthy diet by comparing populations who followed the diet with those who didn’t. The result? Mediterranean dieters enjoyed longer lifespans and less heart disease, cancer, strokes, diabetes, and dementia.
Over the last 15 years, researchers have been clarifying exactly how and why this might be the case. A study from Finland is a typical example.
The traditional Mediterranean diet provides an abundance of fresh fruit, including berries. Berries are a rich source of vitamin C and polyphenols, substances with the potential to affect metabolic and disease processes in our bodies.
The Finnish researchers studied 72 middle-aged subjects, having half of them consume moderate amounts of berries, and half consume a placebo product over 8 weeks. Compared with the placebo group, the berry eaters showed inhibited platelet funtion, a 5% increase in HDL cholesterol (the “good” cholesterol), and a 7-point drop in systolic blood pressure.
What does platelet function have to do with anything? Platelets are critical components of blood clots. Blood clots can stop life-threatening bleeding, but also contribute to life-threatening strokes and heart attacks. Inhibition of platelet function can decrease the occurence of blood clots that cause heart attacks and strokes. That’s why millions of people take daily aspirin, the best known platelet inhibitor.
Cardiovascular disease is a group of conditions that include high blood pressure, heart attacks, poor circulation, and strokes. Berry consumption in this small Finnish study resulted in favorable changes in blood pressure, HDL cholesterol, and platelet function. These changes would tend to reduce the occurence and severity of cardiovascular disease.
So berries don’t just taste good, they’re good for us. If price is a concern, focus on the berries that are in season or use frozen berries.
Steve Parker, M.D.
Advanced Mediterranean Diet 
Hello
Thanks for the article on berries holding the key to blood clots as a result reducing the risk of strokes. I have high blood pressure, but it’s not because of bad habits, no I got it from my mother, according to my doctor.
I’m treatment 1 10mg of ramipril every day, but I don’t leave at that I exercise by cycling, weight train and Tai Chi breathing.
I keep an eye on my diet, I don’t smoke, alcohol once in while, my end goal is to come of medications and control hypertension through natural ways. Again thanks for this article on berries.
Hello, jaws806. Ramipril is one of my favorite BP meds.