Once again we return to Examine.com for another study summary to illustrate the extremely sad state of “modern research,” as in the backwards-thinking and deceitful way they present their findings. Also, this will be rather short as I’m very pressed on time this morning/weekend.
What was studied?
“The effect of blueberry intake on vascular function.”
If you know anything about the chemical incompatibility between plants and humans (we are obligate hyper carnivores) and the extreme toxicity of all plant chemicals, you should be able to figure out that there will be a physiological reaction after poisoning yourself with blueberries, especially to vascular function. And if you’re not well versed in biology and biochemistry, I will explain along the way.
“The primary outcome was the reactive hyperemia index (an indicator of vascular reactivity measured in the fingertip). The secondary outcomes were the augmentation index (an indicator of arterial stiffness), blood pressure and heart rate. Blood samples were also analyzed for anthocyanin levels (blue-purple antioxidant phytochemicals in blueberries),[1] and metabolic and vascular markers (e.g., insulin, nitric oxide).”
The reactive hyperemia index (RHI) is a measure of “endothelial function,” specifically the magnitude of limb reperfusion following a brief period of ischemia induced by arterial occlusion. In simple terms, RHI is a measure of the body’s ability to adapt to changes in blood flow — measuring the pulse wave amplitude before and after cuff inflation (restricting blood flow and measuring how quickly it normalizes after releasing that restriction.)
In other words, this measurement should show a temporary improvement when acutely poisoned due to the fight and flight stress response.
The augmentation index (AIx) is a measure of systemic arterial stiffness derived from the ascending aortic pressure waveform. It represents the proportion of central pulse pressure resulting from the primary reflected wave in the arterial tree. In other words, AIx quantifies the augmentation of central aortic pressure by the reflected pulse wave, which bounces back from the periphery to the heart. Physiologically, AIx reflects the stiffness of the arteries, particularly the aorta and large conduit arteries. So, in other words, measuring Alx after ingesting toxins is totally pointless. Including this measurement just shows how ignorant the researchers are.
And anthocyanin, labeled as a plant antioxidant (defense chemical) is exclusively found in plants. Anthocyanin has never been discovered in animal- or in human tissue, which indicates that it’s a non-biological compound that is not needed in human physiology and therefore completely foreign. In other words, it will not be metabolized as it cannot contribute to anything, it has zero “antioxidant” properties in a human, and since it’s a defense chemical, it is very toxic and a potential poison (as with all plant matter that is non-biological non bio-active compounds.)
Who was studied?
“16 older adults (average age of 69; 9 men, 7 women; average BMI of 25).”
So, unhealthy people who likely already had very bad scores on all these tests. In other words, they should indeed notice a difference in RHI.
How was it studied?
“A 4-hour crossover randomized controlled trial was conducted. The participants consumed either 250 grams of blueberries (480 mg of anthocyanins) or 250 milliliters of sugar water. The treatments were separated by at least one week.”
250 grams of blueberries should provide quite a lot of toxic substances such as flavonoids, phenolic acids and anthocyanins (480 mg.) Also let’s not forget that blueberries are ridden with pesticides and insecticides such as phosmet, malathion, oxamyl, and acephate.
What were the results?
“Blueberry intake increased the reactive hyperemia index (suggesting improved vascular function) and anthocyanin levels. No other outcomes changed.”
Yes, anthocyanin levels increased because it’s a non-bioavailable antioxidant/defense chemical used by the plant to defend itself and kill those trying to eat the plant. In other words, levels in the blood increased because the body could not metabolize or use it, so it circulates until the body can neutralize and expel it, doing a lot of damage to any tissue during that time. And as it is a very potent toxin, reaching the bloodstream and doing cellular damage, the body will perceive it as acute poisoning, entering into a fight or flight response.
With that said, as anthocyanin was not taken as a single compound, but as a part of the whole blueberry, it will be impossible to say how much each toxic compound will contribute to the toxic load and the body’s response.
In turn, this fight or flight stress response to the acute toxic load from the blueberries will increase the reactive hyperemia index as the SNS-induced release of epinephrine and norepinephrine will cause rapid vasodilation in skeletal muscle, which will contribute to increased blood flow and reactive hyperemia.
Also, the release of cortisol and other glucocorticoids during a stress response can have indirect effects on blood flow and reactive hyperemia. For example, cortisol can increase blood glucose levels, which may enhance glycolysis and increase blood flow to muscles, especially if you are physically active.
However, a fight or flight stress response will not temporarily improve the augmentation index, as the stiffness of the arteries are a result of accumulated damage mainly from high blood glucose, unsaturated fats from seed/vegetable oils, and accumulation of plant antinutrients such as oxalates.
Anything else I need to know?
“No association was found between the reactive hyperemia index and total serum anthocyanins.”
As I said, because they consumed whole blueberries that are ridden with toxic compounds, not only anthocyanins. Also, each individual, depending on their health and nutritional status, will be able to neutralize these toxins, including anthocyanins, at very different rates — which impacts the strength of the stress response, the clearing time of each toxin, and the length/duration of the effect from the stress response. That means that the level of anthocyanins will be different in each person even if measured at the exact same time after exposure, as each individual will break it down and neutralize it at various speeds. And the effect of the reactive hyperemia index was an effect of the stress response, as in the total load of toxins, and not anthocyanins alone.
So, to summarize, this was yet another totally useless study, at least if you know the basics of biology, physiology, and biochemistry, as in understanding that any compound from a plant is toxic to humans, as we are obligate hyper carnivores and chemically incompatible to plants, especially since we lack the digestive system and organ functionality to absorb and convert these toxic compounds. Unfortunately, due to the way the researchers present their findings and considering how stupid most people in the “health care” and “diet industry” are, they will see this as a benefit of something that is both toxic and damaging, recommending that people poison themselves for a temporary boost to their reactive hyperemia index.
And yes, this is how almost every single diet- and nutrition recommendation has been born — out of misinterpretation, lack of understanding and/or total deceit and lies.
For more on plants, please read my article “Plant Toxins, Accumulated Toxicity, Tissue Damage, And a Decreased Lifespan.”
If you need help with any kind of health problems or transitioning from your current way of eating to our natural species-appropriate, species-specific way of eating, I’m available for both coaching and consultation.
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