Over 7m people in the UK are now living with heart or circulatory diseases.
Recent statistics from the British Heart Foundation (BHF) show there are now 7.6 million people living with heart and circulatory diseases in the UK: over 4 million men and over 3.6 million women.
These diseases, for example heart attacks, cause around 25 per cent of all deaths in the UK; that's nearly 170,000 people each year, 480 each day – or an average of one death every three minutes.
Making a positive change.
Helping patients change their lifestyle can prevent, treat and even sometimes reverse heart and circulatory diseases. One clinical trial showed how comprehensive lifestyle interventions could potentially reverse atherosclerosis - the buildup of fatty deposits that narrow and block coronary arteries. In this study, patients that followed four key lifestyle strategies - a plant-based diet, regular exercise, stress management through meditation and yoga, and group psychosocial support - showed actual improvement in their coronary artery blockages unlike those receiving standard care
Many large-scale studies have consistently highlighted the power of healthy lifestyle changes—even later in life. Improving physical activity, managing stress, quitting smoking, and embracing a healthier diet can reduce cardiovascular risk by approximately 20% to 45% in older adults, depending on how many healthy behaviours are adopted and for how long. Even simple changes —like achieving around 3,600 steps per day—can cut heart failure risk by over 25%. While benefits occur at any age, adopting healthier habits later in life can still deliver substantial long-term protection.
Key message from Dr Evie on medicine
The Heart-Healthy Potential of Berries
There is growing research evidence to suggest a diet containing berries may help us reduce the risk of developing chronic cardiac diseases, such as high blood pressure and heart attacks. It is becoming clear that a group of plant chemicals called anthocyanins are an important key to understanding these berry health benefits. Anthocyanins are naturally occurring plant pigments that give fruit and vegetables their deep purple, blue and red colours.
A 2019 study from King’s College London demonstrated that anthocyanins have a major role to play in how blood vessels in our bodies function, helping to lower blood pressure and improve blood flow.
The evidence from clinical studies is growing as well. A review of 22 dietary clinical research trials looked at the effects of berry anthocyanins on the cardiovascular system. Results showed significant improvements in blood pressure and blood vessel function in the berry eaters.
What are Anthocyanins?
Anthocyanins are an important key to understanding these berry health benefits. Anthocyanins are naturally occurring plant pigments that give fruit and vegetables their deep purple, blue and red colours.
A diet containing berries may help us reduce the risk of developing chronic cardiac diseases, such as high blood pressure and heart attacks
Large population studies have shown that a higher anthocyanin diet was associated with:
Why Haskap Berries Are Good for Your Heart
As a result of their abundant vibrant colour with blue-purple skin and deep crimson flesh, haskap berries contain four times more anthocyanins and three times more antioxidants than blueberries.
In 2018 Haskapa commissioned its own clinical research on haskap berries by a team from the University of Reading. Published in the European Journal of Nutrition the pilot study of 20 older adults showed improvements in cognition (word recall and recognition) and diastolic blood pressure in older adults.
Boost Your Heart Health: How Much Anthocyanin Do You Need?
Although there is still no agreed daily intake value for anthocyanins, a recent review paper recommended that we eat 50mg anthocyanins per day for optimal benefit. Most people in northern European counties, including the UK consume much lower amounts. So, taking just one to two teaspoons of Haskap Berry Powder, each day will give you your daily anthocyanin boost.
The Berry of Long Life?
The indigenous Ainu people of Hokkaido in Northern Japan considered the haskap as “the berry of long life.” They used the berries and their extracts in traditional medicine to treat various ailments, including inflammation and infection. The Ainu believed the berries improved vision, especially night vision, and contributed to overall health and longevity. Today, modern research suggests that many of these traditional uses—particularly their anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties—may also support heart and circulatory health, highlighting the berry’s enduring reputation as a longevity-promoting superfruit.
Adding Berries to Your Heart Health Plan
The research shows there isn't a quick fix to preventing heart disease or stroke, and for manypeople genetics may increase their risk. However, the evidence is clear that taking steps to improve your diet - such as eating more colourful fruits and vegetables - along with regular exercise and stress management, can significantly improve cardiovascular outcomes. While comprehensive lifestyle changes remain the foundation of heart health, adding concentrated sources of heart-protective compounds like anthocyanins can complement these efforts. Haskap Berry Powder offers an easy, research-backed way to boost your daily
anthocyanin intake as part of a broader heart-healthy lifestyle approach
Which Haskapa will you choose?
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Best Selling Organic Powder
shopEasy-to-use superfood powder that is nutritionally-dense and blends easily with breakfast staples like yoghurt and porridge, and gives smoothies a brilliant boost.
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NEW! Protein Powder
shopHigh-protein, wholefood nutrition - A perfect balance of protein, healthy fats and fibre to keep you feeling fuller for longer with all the benefits of the Hakskapa Superberry.
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Award Winning Pure Juice Shots
shopOur Award-winning organic haskap berry juice – All-natural, deep red deliciously tangy juice squeezed from organic berries. Winner of the Great Taste Award 2024. Available in Organic and Ginger.
Strong Hearts Top Tips & Takeways
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Prioritise heart health early
lifestyle changes such as eating more plants, moving daily, managing stress, and avoiding smoking can help prevent and even reverse heart disease but it’s never too late to embrace change.
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Make colour your cue
Richly coloured fruits and vegetables, especially deep purples, blues, and reds, are rich in anthocyanins, which support healthy blood vessels and blood pressure.
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Berries are powerful
Berries are nutritional powerhouses that offer numerous health benefits through their rich content of antioxidants, fiber, vitamins, and minerals.
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Haskap leads the pack
Studies link higher anthocyanin intake to lower risk of heart attacks, high blood pressure, and cardiovascular disease.
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Aim for 50mg anthocyanins daily
with four times the anthocyanin content of blueberries, haskap berries deliver a concentrated daily boost for your heart.
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Think long-term
No single food is a magic fix, but combining a balanced diet, physical activity, and stress management with anthocyanin-rich foods can significantly improve cardiovascular outcomes.
Why we need berries
key message from Julie as a nutritionist about adding berries to your diet
Learn More
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Learn More
COGNITIVE FUNCTION & MEMORY
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BLOOD PRESSURE & HEART HEALTH
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ENDURANCE PERFORMANCE & ATHLETIC RECOVERY
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OXIDATIVE STRESS & CELLULAR PROTECTION
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INFLAMMATION & GUT HEALTH
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HEALTHY AGEING & METABOLIC HEALTH
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JIANG, Ying-Ying, et al. Journal of Geriatric Cardiology, 20(11) 779-787. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10716616/
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Effect of Lifestyle
Intervention on Metabolic Coronary Heart Disease Risk Factors in Obese Older
Adults (2006) Villareal, Dennis T, et al. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, vol. 84 (6) https://doi.org/10.1093/ajcn/84.6.1317.
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