A new study led by Queen’s University’s Institute for Global Food Security based in Ireland concludes that consuming higher levels of flavonoid-rich foods such as berries, apples, pears, and wine can lower blood pressure.  Study participants who had the highest intake of flavonoid rich foods, had the lowest systolic blood pressure.  Results indicated that 1.6 servings of berries or two glasses of wine per day was enough to reduce blood pressure levels by 1.4 mm Hf.   The research also indicates a link between cardiovascular disease and the microorganisms in the gut biome which breaks down flavonoids. There are six types of flavonoids,  Berries, apples, pears, wine, tea, kale, and dark chocolate are known to be flavonoid-rich foods.  More studies are needed to understand how the elements of flavonoid absorption and the gut biome interact.

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Picture Credit Susanne Kuehne

Posted on 5 October 2021