Study: Berries reduce the risk of heart disease in women

(ABC) -- New research shows that adding some berries to the diet can help women reduce their risk of heart attack.

A study in the Journal of the American Heart Association looked at almost 94,000 women ages 25-42 for 18 years. Those who ate at least three servings of blueberries and strawberries per week had a 32 percent lower risk of heart attack, compared to women who ate the berries once a month or less often.

Blueberries and strawberries are rich in compounds called dietary flavonoids. They can help keep arteries open and counter the buildup of plaque.

Eating more berries at an early age may reduce a woman’s risk of heart attack later in life, according to the study.