Blueberries, radishes and wine may help weight loss, study finds

The study found apples, pears, blueberries, strawberries and radishes may help prevent weight gain Rui Vieira/PA Wire
PA
Michael Clarke28 January 2016

Eating fruit and vegetables high in a key compound could help with weight loss, according to a new study.

The research published in the British Medical Journal showed fruits high in flavournoids- such as cherries, blueberries, strawberries and radishes- could help people maintain a healthy weight and even lose a few pounds.

Research from Harvard University and the University of East Anglia found even a single 80g serving of the fruit or veg per day may improve health.

The plant compound can also be found in tea, chocolate and wine.

In the study, experts examined data for 124,086 men and women in the US over a 24-year period and found that consuming just a small amount of flavonoids was linked with maintaining a healthy weight, and even losing a little.

The research focused on three large groups of people - one featuring women with an average age of 36 at the start of the study, another with women aged 48, and the third for men with an average age of 47.

Professor Aedin Cassidy, from UEA's Norwich Medical School, said: "Most adults gain weight as they age and even small increases in weight can have a substantial impact on risk of high blood pressure, developing heart disease, cancer or diabetes - so strategies to help individuals maintain a healthy weight in middle-age are needed.

"We found that an increased consumption of most flavonoids was associated with weight maintenance, and even a modest weight loss. The results were found to be consistent across men and women, and different ages."

The strongest affect can be seen from consuming blueberries, strawberries, cherries, blackberries, grapes, radishes and blackcurrants.

This means that choosing flavonoid-rich fruits and vegetables could help people shed up to 1lb or 2lb, the team said.

Tracy Parker, a dietician at the British Heart Foundation, said: "Eating a balanced diet high in fruit and vegetables along with regular physical activity is an essential part of maintaining a healthy weight."

"Unfortunately, most adults in the UK struggle to eat the 'five-a-day fruit and vegetables' recommendation, so the take-home message is still that we all need to be eating more fruit and vegetables, rather than focusing on particular types."

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