Study shows berries are good for heart

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) - There's new evidence that some fruit, particularly blueberries and strawberries, may have measurable benefits.

A large study reported in the Journal Circulation, published by the American Heart Association, concluded that compounds present in red and blue fruits and vegetables may reduce the risk of heart attacks in young and middle aged women.

They studied more than 93,000 women in the nurses health study and followed them for up to 18 years. Those who ate the most strawberries and blueberries had a 32 percent lower risk of a heart attack compared with those who ate the least.

The responsible compounds in the berries are called anthocyanins, a particular type of antioxidant,  and they're also abundant in other dark-colored fruits and vegetables - like red cabbage and radishes. One problem with fresh berries is the cost, but you can get the same benefit from frozen berries, at about half the price.

The more berries you eat, the better, but women who had only three or four servings a week tended to have a lower risk. However, there's no evidence you can get the benefit from a supplement. The fruit is what works, and it's also delicious.