Blueberry Consumption Improves Vascular Function and Lowers Blood Pressure in Postmenopausal Women With Prehypertension

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) continues to be the leading cause of death in the U.S.
Americans have been more concerned about their blood cholesterol levels and dietary
cholesterol intakes rather than their overall cardiovascular health risk factors leading to
CVD such as hypertension, vascular dysfunction, inadequate consumption of fruits and
vegetables and physical activity. Statistics show that approximately 91% of individuals with
CVD have vascular dysfunction which is attributed to endothelial and autonomic dysfunction
leading to increased arterial stiffness.

The investigators long-term goal is to provide feasible and effective dietary ways for pre-
and stage 1- hypertensive individuals to normalize their blood pressure (BP), improve
vascular function and thereby reducing their cardiovascular risk and enhancing the quality
of life. Blueberries are a rich source of phenolic compounds and these compounds may play an
important role in promoting cardiovascular health. Considering the strong possibility that
phytochemicals present in blueberry work additively or synergistically, it would be ideal to
investigate the cardioprotective effects of blueberry as a whole. The investigators overall
objective to bring forth evidence that blueberry consumption will reduce BP and
cardiovascular risk factors including endothelial dysfunction, arterial stiffness, and
autonomic dysfunction in pre- and stage 1-hypertensive postmenopausal women. The
investigators hypothesize that blueberry supplementation will improve vascular function and
will lower blood pressure in postmenopausal women with pre-hypertension. The findings of
this study will provide a foundation for disseminating feasible, safe approaches for
preventing and combating hypertension at its early stage which does not require drug
therapy.