Celebrate Heart Month and protect your cardiac muscle with BC Blueberries
The month of February is Canada’s Heart Month. A time to promote cardiovascular health and educate Canadians on how to reduce their risk of cardiovascular disease (Government of Canada, 2017).
There are simple changes that we can make to better care for our hearts. Quitting smoking, eating a healthy and balanced diet, getting enough sleep, exercising regularly, and monitoring blood pressure and cholesterol levels are all ways to keep your heart in good health (Government of Canada, 2017).
A Healthy Heart Starts with a Healthy Diet
According to the Heart & Stroke Foundation, up to 80 per cent of premature heart disease and stroke can be prevented by following healthy life habits. Eating a balanced diet is just one easy and important way to start putting your heart first!
BC Blueberries are considered a “superfruit” by researchers in Canada and the U.S. They’re filled with antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals, making them an extremely healthy (and heart happy) alternative to whatever sweet treats you usually indulge in.
Here are a few ways that BC Blueberries (both frozen and fresh) will help keep your heart strong for Heart Month and beyond:
Blueberries are filled with antioxidants, which help to neutralize harmful by-products in the body known as “free-radicals.” Free-radicals can lead to cancer and other age-related diseases.
Studies have shown that blueberries have been linked to lowering blood pressure. According to the Heart & Stroke Foundation, High blood pressure (also known as hypertension) is the main risk factor for stroke and a major risk factor for heart disease.
Blueberries have also been linked to protecting the heart during a heart attack and repairing the damaged heart muscle afterwards.
BC Blueberries are an excellent way to get your daily source of fruits and veggies, which contribute to a healthy diet. Eating just one 125 mL (1/2 cup) serving of blueberries (fresh or frozen) makes up one of the 7 -10 daily servings of fruits and vegetables (for adults) recommended by the Canadian Food Guide.
For ways on how to incorporate more BC Blueberries into your daily routine, check out the recipe tab at bcblueberry.com or follow along on social @bcblueberries.
About the BC Blueberry Council
British Columbia’s pure waters, clean air, rich soils, and moderate climate create perfect growing conditions for blueberries, making BC one of the largest highbush blueberry-growing regions in the world, and Canada’s number one small fruit export. Producing an average of 160 million lbs annually, British Columbia’s highbush blueberry industry ranks among the top five world producers.
The BC Blueberry Council represents more than 600 highbush blueberry growers in British Columbia. The Council’s vision is a sustainable blueberry industry that consistently delivers delicious, top quality blueberries to the world. This is achieved through promotions, research, and providing grower support.
BC Blueberries are versatile and fresh, harvested from July through September, and available frozen for berry lovers year-round. Every berry grown and harvested in BC brings natural energy and superfood health to recipes, tables, kitchens, and berry snackers. Learn more at www.bcblueberry.com.
Media release and image provided by Brooklynn Doucette, Town Hall Brands. Photo credit: cafebynat
