The Best Group of Foods for Cardiovascular Health

Nutrition experts know that the best food group for preventing and fighting cancer are the cruciferous vegetables or cabbage family vegetables. They include cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, brussels sprouts, kale, collard greens and others. Cancer is the second leading cause of death of Americans. But here is the latest news that I, Chuck Bluestein, just discovered in May 2009, the same time that Microsoft came out with Windows 7. The best food group for helping with cardiovascular problems is berries.

Who says so? I do. Why do I say this? That is what this article is about. If I am wrong, then you can have fun finding the holes in my theory. The botanical definition of a berry is a simple fruit produced from a single ovary, such as a grape or a tomato. However, in everyday English, a berry is a term for any small edible fruit. So I will go by the everyday English meaning. Heart attacks and strokes are the first and third leading cause of death of Americans.

Superfoods Rx (2008) by Steven Pratt, M.D. says (p 28) "The anthocyans also work synergistically with vitamin C and other key antioxidants. They strengthen the capillary (tiny blood vessel) system by promoting the production of quality collagen-- the building block of tissues. This important subclass of flavonoids also promotes vasodilation (widening of arteries) and has an inhibitory effect on platelet aggregation-- an aspirin-like effect on blood clot formation." Please note that aspirin are drugs and berries are foods.

If you look these things up, you will see that they are also effective for preventing cancer. A recent study from the University of Michigan reveals that new evidence links cherries (a red berry) to heart health benefits. The study found that a cherry enriched diet lowered total weight, body fat (especially the important belly fat), inflammation and cholesterol-- all risk factors associated with heart disease. According to the American Heart Association, being overweight or obese, in particular when the weight is concentrated in the middle, is a major risk factor for heart disease.

There are other red berries like cranberries and then there are the other darker color berries. Some that have attracted a lot of attention for health benefits are acai berries, yumberries and aronia berries that are said to improve circulation and strengthen blood vessels. Here is what the above website says about acai berries "Studies show that anthocyanins can help prevent blood clots, improve blood circulation, relax blood vessels, and prevent arthrosclerosis."

If you are acting too immature, then you can take elderberries to help you act older, like your elders. Actually elderberry juice is known to lower cholesterol levels and reduce bad cholesterol. This can be highly beneficial in preventing the various heart related disorders. Bilberries are great for night vision. There is a red berry that is great for cardiovascular health. But I have not seen it sold as a berry. I have only seen it sold in capsules or as a tea. Herbalists know that it is the best herb for heart health or cardiovascular health. It is the red hawthorn berry.

Prescription for Herbal Health (2002) by Phyllis Balch says " A large body of scientific research has shown that the fruit, leaves and flowers of various hawthorn species dilate the blood vessels, lower blood pressure and dissolve cholesterol. Hawthorn fights atherosclerosis, in which cholesterol forms plaques on blood-vessel walls. in two ways." It increases the rate that the liver converts bad LDL cholesterol into good HDL cholesterol. It "also fights atherosclerosis by providing antioxidants, which prevent plaque formation."