Adding antioxidants to ones diet may lead to improved artery health and a lower risk of developing cardiovascular problems, according to findings published in Nutrition and Metabolism.
During a recent study, researchers had a total of 70 patients in a hypertension clinic take either supplements containing antioxidants or a placebo over the course of six months. At the beginning of the trial and at the three- and six-month marker, the team conducted several cardiovascular tests on each participant.
The results of the trial showed that individuals who had been given the antioxidant capsule had more elastic arteries, which is a sign of improved heart health. Also, the investigators discovered that these patients had better blood sugar and cholesterol levels than those who took the placebo.
Reuven Zimlichman, lead author of the study, stated that “antioxidant supplementation significantly increased large and small artery elasticity in patients with multiple cardiovascular risk factors.” He added that “this beneficial vascular effect was associated with an improvement in glucose and lipid metabolism as well as significant decrease in blood pressure.”
In addition to antioxidants, increasing ones intake of vitamin B can also lead to improved cardiovascular health, as a report published in Stroke: Journal of the American Heart showed that vitamin B-6 and folate can reduce the risk of stroke and heart disease in women.