A new study suggests eating the summer fruits every other day cuts the risk of heart attack in women by up to a third.
The findings come from an ongoing study of nurses which involves only women, but may also apply to men.
Experts believe the benefits come from the high content of flavonoids in berry fruits, which appear to combat blocked arteries.
Flavonoids are antioxidant compounds found in plants, as well as tea and red wine, which can protect against a wide range of diseases, including heart disease, hypertension, some cancers and dementia.
The latest study involved 93,600 participants in the Nurses' Health Study II, a major US investigation of women's health.
Women aged 25 to 42 completed questionnaires about their diet while their health was monitored over 18 years.
During the study, 405 heart attacks were recorded.
Women who ate the most strawberries and blueberries - at least three times a week - were 32 per cent lower risk than those consuming the berries once a month or less.
Even participants with diets rich in other fruits and vegetables were more likely to experience heart attacks if they avoided strawberries and blueberries.
Dr Eric Rimm, one of the senior study authors from the Harvard School of Public Health in Boston, said 'Blueberries and strawberries can easily be incorporated into what women eat every week.
This simple dietary change could have a significant impact on prevention efforts.' The findings appear in the American Heart Association journal Circulation.
Scientist believe the protective effect could be linked to anthocyanins, a type of flavonoid that may help open up arteries and counter the build-up of fatty deposits on blood vessel walls.
Nutritionist Dr Aedin Cassidy, from the University of East Anglia, who took part in the research, said 'We have shown that even at an early age, eating more of these fruits may reduce risk of a heart attack in later life.'
The scientists took account of risk factors such as age, high blood pressure, body mass, lack of exercise, smoking, caffeine and alcohol consumption, and family medical history, that could have influenced the results.
Other foods may have similar benefits, say the researchers. Strawberries and blueberries were chosen for the study because they are the most commonly eaten berries in the US.
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