Loose Women: Dr Hilary discusses how to live longer
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Certain foods are packed with such powerful vitamins and minerals they are often dubbed superfoods. One such food has been shown to help with a multitude of age-related diseases including lowering cholesterol, blood pressure, reducing cancer risk, moderating insulin and protecting the heart.
A study published in the journal Nutrients claims strawberries are the key to boosting longevity.
The delicious fruit helps with a number of key conditions which could hamper longevity.
These include lowering cholesterol, blood pressure and guarding against cancer.
Researchers revealed that adding strawberries to diets improves cardiometabolic risk factors in adults, who are obese or have elevated low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, otherwise known as the “bad” cholesterol.
LDL cholesterol – a key cardiometabolic risk factor – is a waxy substance that can gum up your arteries, starving your heart of oxygen.
In the trial, 33 adults received a daily controlled amount of strawberry powder equivalent to one serving, or two-and-a-half servings of strawberries each.
At the end of the trial, it was found that the equivalent to two-and-a-half daily servings of strawberries significantly improved cardiometabolic risks in this ‘at risk’ population group when compared to the control group – mainly by improving insulin resistance and lipid particle profiles.
Commenting on the findings, Doctor Emma Derbyshire, Public Health Nutritionist and adviser to British Summer Fruits said: “These are really interesting findings.
“Around 7.6 million people in the UK are currently living with heart and circulatory diseases.
“We know that healthy living, which includes healthy eating, can help to reduce the risk of developing heart disease, prevent weight gain and lower diabetes risk.”
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Studies suggest that strawberries may prevent certain cancers.
The protective effect is thought to be thanks to a combination of polyphenols including ellagic acid and ellagitannins, which appear to halt the growth of cancer cells in animal studies.
Consuming strawberries appears to slow down digestion of glucose and moderates insulin use, particularly when they are eaten with a high carb meal.
Strawberries are also packed with vitamins, fibre and particularly high levels of antioxidants known as polyphenols, said WebMD.
The health site added: “Strawberries are a sodium-free, fat-free, cholesterol-free and low-calorie food.
“They are among the top 20 fruits in antioxidant capacity and are a good source of manganese and potassium.
“Just one serving provides more vitamin C than an orange.”
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