A recent study conducted by Penn State University reveals that consuming berries may significantly reduce stress-related physiological dysregulations, known as allostatic load (AL), in American adults.
The research highlights that individuals who consumed berries, particularly strawberries and blueberries, displayed notably lower AL scores compared to those who did not consume berries. This reduction in AL scores suggests a lower risk of developing stress-related health issues such as cardiovascular diseases and diabetes.
The study analyzed the dietary habits of 7,684 U.S. adults, utilizing two 24-hour dietary recalls to measure berry intake. Researchers employed multivariable linear regression adjusted for demographic, lifestyle, and dietary factors to examine the association between berry consumption and AL.
Results indicated a significant trend: higher berry intake correlated with lower AL scores. Specifically, consumers of strawberries and blueberries showed reduced scores in both the cardiovascular and metabolic domains of AL.
Berry consumption’s impact extends beyond general wellness to potentially lowering the risk of severe health conditions. Berries contain high levels of antioxidants and polyphenols, which have been shown to mitigate inflammation and improve metabolic and cardiovascular health.
The study’s findings align with previous research suggesting that dietary polyphenols can influence stress responses and reduce the severity of stress-induced physiological changes.
Despite the robust dataset and rigorous methodology, the study acknowledges its limitations, including the reliance on self-reported dietary data and the cross-sectional nature of the analysis, which does not account for long-term dietary habits.
Nevertheless, this research underscores the potential health benefits of regular berry consumption as part of a balanced diet, advocating for increased intake to combat the effects of stress and promote overall health.
This study was conducted by researchers at Penn State University and published as part of the NHANES project, providing valuable insights into the role of diet in managing stress and preventing related diseases.
