Eating three or more servings of blueberries and strawberries per week may help women reduce their risk of a heart attack.
 
Blueberries and strawberries contain dietary flavonoids, also found in grapes and wine, blackberries, and other fruits and vegetables. It helps dilate arteries, counter the buildup of plaque and provide other cardiovascular benefits.
 
"Blueberries and strawberries can easily be incorporated into what women eat every week, this simple dietary change could have a significant impact on prevention efforts."
Blueberries and strawberries are the most-eaten.
During a study in the United States, 405 heart attacks occurred. Women who ate the most blueberries and strawberries had a 32-percent reduction in their risk of heart attack compared to women who ate the berries once a month or less -- even in women who otherwise ate a diet rich in other fruits and vegetables
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We have shown that even at an early age, eating more of these fruits may reduce risk of a heart attack later in life.
The findings were independent of other risk factors, such as age, high blood pressure, family history of heart attack, body mass, exercise, smoking, caffeine or alcohol intake.
The American Heart Association supports eating berries as part of an overall balanced diet that also includes other fruits, vegetables and whole-grain products. Eating a variety of foods is the best way to get the right amounts of nutrients.