Blueberries Won’t Save Your Life
Why a punnet of berries probably isn’t a life-saving medical intervention
Blueberries are a perennial favorite in the news cycle. Maybe it’s because they are one of the more expensive berries — and we all know more expensive means better for your health — or maybe it’s just that they taste great in a banana smoothie. Whatever the reason, hardly a week goes by without someone mentioning this photogenic fruit, with media sources claiming that blueberries can prevent cancer, make you lose weight, and of course prevent aging and make you live forever.
And, according to dozens of media organisations from around the world, they have now been proven to treat heart disease as effectively as “prescribed blood pressure pills”.
Unfortunately, as is often the case, the story is a lot more complex than that. Blueberries may be a tasty — and relatively healthy — treat, and certainly can be part of a healthy diet.
But do they treat heart disease? The evidence suggests no.
Don’t go off your meds and start pounding punnets just yet.
