Summer fruits could reduce risk of heart attack in women by a third

If you’re partial to the odd strawberry smoothie or scattering of blueberries on your cereal in the mornings, then you could be in luck – scientists are saying flavonoids found in these fruits could cut the risk of heart attack in women by as much as a third.

According to research, dietary flavonoids help prevent heart attacks by clearing the coronary arteries of plaque build-ups.

Blueberries and strawberries are thought to be particularly rich in dietary flavonoids, along with grapes, dark chocolate, red wine, blackberries and aubergine.

Professor Eric Rimm and his team of researchers studied 93,600 women aged between 25 and 42. Results showed that the women who ate the most blueberries and strawberries had a 32% reduction in their risk of heart attack, compared to those who only ate them once a month or less.

Study co-author Professor Aedin Cassidy said: “We have shown that even at an early age, eating more of these fruits may reduce the risk of a heart attack later in life.”

The study was published in the science journal ‘Circulation’.

While dark chocolate and red wine may have other less than healthy side-effects, grapes, blueberries, strawberries, blackberries and aubergines could easily become part of your weekly diet.

We recommend buying frozen fruits and blending with water, fresh banana and honey for a tasty, energising smoothie. You could also try slicing an aubergine into thin slices, placing on a baking tray, drizzling with light olive oil and grilling until crisp for a delicious snack or accompaniment to a meal.

It’s amazing how the food choices you make impact your body – without you even knowing. To find out more about the heart and to contact a nutritionist specialising in this area, please head over to our Heart Disease page.

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