A recent study suggests that a diet that includes Swedish berries and brown beansacts against arteriosclerosisand benefits the intestines. Eating such cranberries and legumes reduced the risk by half and was good for the intestinal flora. In addition, the study authors were able to determine the health benefits of a plant-based diet by analyzing the bioactive compounds in the natural products.
How Swedish berries impact health as part of a nutritional strategy
The new research shows that Swedish berries and legumes are good sources of bioactive compounds such as polyphenols. These can effectively protect the body and increase immunity through the intestines. A diet containing whole cranberries, brown beans and bean fiber led to a reduced risk of arteriosclerosis. In addition to polyphenols, these plant species also contain large amounts of fiber. The latter are one of the advantages of the plant-based diet. A goal of the study was also to develop analytical methods to identify the various bioactive compounds found in berries and legumes. In addition, scientists developed ways to quantify the amount of bioactive compounds in cranberries, raspberries, blueberries and strawberries, as well as in cooked and dried legumes.
Hydrothermal processing affected nutrient levels during the experiment with laboratory mice. The new results also showed that Swedish berries and legumes were found to be good sources of polyphenols. However, cooked legumes had lower levels of polyphenols, which were released into the water during soaking and cooking. An appropriate nutritional strategy with whole cranberries, brown beans and bean fiber resulted in a reduction in atherosclerotic plaques and a positive effect of the diet on the intestinal microbiota. The resultsthis studyAccording to the authors, they should serve as a stimulus to increase the intake of plant-based foods. However, it is also important to note that this is based on an animal study and further research on humans is needed.
