Blackcurrants could provide protection against heart disease, according to a Scottish study.

Scottish Crop Research Institute (SCRI) researchers studied 80 people and found that eating blackcurrants on a regular basis can help prevent the occurrence of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and maintain good heart health.

Blackcurrants contain special antioxidants, called anthocyanins, which reduce the hardening of arteries - a condition known as atherosclerosis.

Previous research has shown that anthocyanins relax arteries and increase blood flow around the body whilst actively helping to maintain a healthy balance of cholesterol in the body.

Derek Stewart, from the SCRI, said: "The link between the consumption of fruit, such as blackcurrants, and a healthier heart or reduced incidence of heart disease is gaining scientific support at an almost daily rate.

"SCRI, in collaboration with The University of Dundee Medical School, is at the forefront of this research and has recently been funded to study the impact of the natural compounds in blackcurrants on cardiovascular disease.

"The intervention study, involving 80 volunteers, hopes to establish the beneficial effect of blackcurrant consumption on markers of cardiovascular disease and determine which natural compounds are responsible for these effects."

CVD is one of the main causes of premature death in the UK.

According to the British Heart Foundation, 32 per cent of premature deaths in men and 24 per cent of premature deaths in women are from CVD.

The disease caused just under 60,000 premature deaths in the UK in 2004.

Mr Stewart added: "By eating blackcurrants or drinking blackcurrant juice as part of a healthy diet is an easy, natural way to improve your antioxidant and anthocyanins intake and maintain a healthy heart, ward off infections and a fine way to load the body with the wonder compounds found in blackcurrants."

Previous studies have found that blackcurrants help prevent Alzheimer's disease, fight cancer, UTI infections and MRSA.