Three glasses of red wine a week can help lower blood pressure, a study has found.

A higher intake of foods rich in flavonoids – including berries, apples, tea and red wine – has been linked to lower blood pressure in analysis by Queen’s University in Belfast and Kiel University in Germany.

Moderation is key, with researchers finding that about three glasses of red wine per week was optimal, while for berries the suggested amount was 80g a day.

The study focused on how microbes in the gut break down flavonoids found in those foods and drinks, which then results in a drop in blood pressure.

“Our gut microbiome plays a key role in metabolising flavonoids to enhance their cardioprotective effects, and this study provides evidence to suggest these blood pressure-lowering effects are achievable with simple changes to the daily diet,” said lead investigator Professor Aedin Cassidy.

The analysis involved more than 900 participants in Germany.

Previous research has shown flavonoids can improve heart health, but researchers said this was the first time their connection to lower blood pressure has been explained.

The study’s results have been published in Hypertension, an American Heart Association journal.

Related posts:

Scientists investigating whether rats could infect humans with COVID, official documents reveal Sharks use Earth’s magnetic field as a GPS, study suggests At least 4.5 million people’s data exposed following Air India IT system hack Apple alters planned new system for detecting child sex abuse images over privacy concerns Taliban to remain banned on Facebook, despite taking power in Afghanistan Ancient woman’s DNA challenges scientists’ long-held theories about early humans TikTok investigated over alleged transfer of personal data to China and child safety The end of the password? Microsoft lets users log in with fingerprints and facial recognition instead In space, no one can hear you scream – but they can hear you play the ukulele Pfizer COVID vaccine trial for children aged under 12 shows ‘robust immune response’ NASA announces landing site for robotic moon rover mission Mars was doomed to become a barren lifeless planet from the beginning, says new study