Heart Health - Betavivo cereal review and giveaway

It really is never too early to start thinking about looking after your heart.

New research suggests that making small lifestyle changes in your 30s, which include a healthy diet and keeping physically active, can help improve cholesterol levels and lower the risk of heart disease later on in life.

According to research published in the American Heart Association Journal, every decade an individual has high cholesterol increases their risk of heart disease by almost 40%! Wow, pretty sobering.

Dr. Charlotta Buch from Betavivo, the Swedish cholesterol lowering cereal said: “People in Sweden do start to think about their heart health quite early on, earlier than those in other countries. We maintain an active lifestyle and well balanced food culture; We like to walk, run, go for a cycle ride and eat food that’s traditional and natural, like lots of fresh fish, vegetables, berries and whole grains.”

In the UK heart disease accounts for almost 100,000 deaths every year, with coronary heart disease being the biggest single cause of death! Heart disease has been a huge problem in my family and I've lost some pretty special people for too early in their life so heart health is something that weighs heavy on my mind.

The research also highlights that even slightly high cholesterol levels in adults aged 35 to 55 who are otherwise healthy can have a long-term effect on heart health. What we’re doing in our 20s, 30s and 40s impacts on our blood vessels and is paving the way for disease later in life.

Eating a healthy diet, following the healthy eating guidelines and consuming foods proven to reduce cholesterol, such as avocado, nuts and Betavivo can help you stay heart-healthy. Betavivo is the new crispy oat heart cereal from Sweden.The all-natural cereal contains beta-glucan, a soluble fibre derived from oats, which is known for its heart health benefits and ability to maintain healthy blood sugar and cholesterol. Beta-glucan works by dissolving in the stomach to form a gel that binds bile acids. As the liver produces new bile acid it “draws” cholesterol from the blood and carries these out of the body.

One sachet of Betavivo provides 3g of beta-glucan, the daily amount required for the health benefits. This is three times the amount available in other sources such as a bowl of porridge.

One sachet a day mixed with some fresh fruit and a little yogurt makes a delicious breakfast and is a great start to the day. I've had it with some milk and fruit and sprinkled on top of yogurt and it's a tasty and filling breakfast. I loved seeing just a few ingredients on the back of the packed too, no funny stuff inside. 

If you would like to win a months supply of  Betavivo and see the health benefits for yourself then please leave your contact details in the comments below. A winner will be chosen on 24.3.15. Good luck!

Betavivo is available from Lloyds pharmacies, Holland & Barrett and Independent Pharmacies.

RRP: £14.99 for a box of 15 sachets

For more information visit: www.betavivo.co.uk