Blueberries Lower Cholesterol As Effectively As Drugs August 24, 2004Researchers have found a compound in the blueberry that lowers cholesterol just as effectively as commercial drugs, with the added advantage of fewer side effects, according to a new study by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.The compound, called pterostilbene, shows promise as a natural medicine to lower cholesterol in patients that don't respond well to conventional drugs, according to the researchers. The findings were presented Monday at the national meeting of the American Chemical Society. Pterostilbene, an antioxidant, is similar to resveratrol, which is found in grapes and red wine, also believed to lower cholesterol.The researchers found the blueberry compound was as effective in lowering bad (LDL) cholesterol as the commercial drug ciprofibrate. However, the researchers caution, studies will have to be conducted on humans, because no one knows how many blueberries a person needs to eat to have a positive effect at lowering cholesterol.
