Blueberry

Blueberries contain antioxidants, which work to neutralize free radicals linked to the development of cancer, cardiovascular disease, and other age-related conditions. These little powerhouses provide tasty ways of staying healthy.

Scientists at the usda research center have been studying the bene?cial effects of blueberries on brain function in animal models for over a decade. Through studies with rats, researchers have found that object memory loss, which occurs normally with age, can be prevented and even reversed by feeding blueberries to older rats.

Blueberries are also low in calories -- fewer than 100 for a full cup. They owe their distinct hue to their high anthocyanin content, which gives certain fruits and veggies their deep blues and reds. North america is still the leading producer of this beloved blue fruit, accounting for up to 90% of the world's supply. The berry is celebrated throughout july -- the peak of its harvest -- during national blueberry month. And the fruit received an unofficial presidential seal of approval after ronald reagan insisted on having blue jelly beans at his inauguration, leading the jelly belly company to introduce its blueberry flavor.

In a study of nine human subjects, led by robert krikorian and his team at the university of cincinnati, researchers found that older adults who were given blueberry juice scored higher on memory tests than those receiving a placebo. This study supports continued research on how blueberries may serve as a preventive method for cognitive decline.

Low in fat a coming in at about 80 calories per cup and practically fat-free a blueberries are loaded with fiber to keep you fuller longer. Just a handful can satisfy your daily fiber requirement. Plus, blueberries are an excellent source of manganese, which plays an important part in bone development and converting carbohydrates and fats into energy.

Blueberries are the fruits of a shrub that belong to the heath family, which includes the cranberry and bilberry as well as the azalea, mountain laurel and rhododendron. Blueberries grow in clusters and range in size from that of a small pea to a marble. They are deep in color, ranging from blue to maroon to purple-black, and feature a white-gray waxy "bloom" that covers the surface serving as a protective coat. The skin surrounds a semi-transparent flesh that encases tiny seeds.

Discover how else this little fruit can help your health in big ways, from improving brain health to fighting urinary tract infections to possibly preventing cancer.

Blueberries contain tons of vitamin c; one serving gives you almost 25 percent of your daily value. Vitamin c helps collagen formation and also maintains healthy gums as well as a healthy immune system.

Blueberries pack 14 milligrams of vitamin c per cup. According to the journal of orthomolecular medicine, vitamin c reduces intraocular pressure, decreasing the potential for developing glaucoma, which refers to various eye conditions that damage the optic nerve a the second most common cause of blindness in the united states.

Blueberry extract, high in compounds called anthocyanosides, has been found in clinical studies to slow down visual loss. They can prevent or delay all age related ocular problems like macular degeneration, cataract, myopia and hypermetropia, dryness and infections, particularly those pertaining to retina, due to their anti-oxidant properties.

Blue berries contain a special group of anti oxidants called carotenoids (lutein, zeaxanthin etc.), flavonoids (like rutin, resveritrol, quercetin etc.), in addition to others such as vitamin c, vitamin e and vitamin a, selenium, zinc and phosphorus, which are very beneficial and essential for the ocular health. Data reported in a study published in the archives of ophthalmology indicates that eating 3 or more servings of fruit per day may lower your risk of age-related macular degeneration (armd), the primary cause of vision loss in older adults, by 36%, compared to persons who consume less than 1.5 servings of fruit daily.

the high fiber content, those brilliant anti oxidants and the ability to dissolve the abad cholesterola make the blue berry an ideal dietary supplement to cure many heart diseases. It also strengthens the cardiac muscles. In this study, published in the journal of agriculture and food chemistry, researchers found that a moderate drink (about 4 ounces) of white wine contained .47 mmol of free radical absorbing antioxidants, red wine provided 2.04 mmol, and a wine made from highbush blueberries delivered 2.42 mmol of these protective plant compounds.

Cardiovascular disease is a major public health concern in the united states. Currently, it is the leading cause of death in both men and women. High blood pressure, high blood sugar, and obesity are some of the common conditions that lead to increased risk of heart disease.

A recent study, however, suggests that berries, including strawberries and blueberries, may reduce the risk of heart disease in women, due to their high content of anthocyanins. Anthocyanins are part of a sub-class of flavonoids, which may help to counter the buildup of plaque and improve cardiovascular health. According to the study, women who eat three or more servings a week of blueberries or strawberries may reduce their risk of heart disease.

Remember anthocyanins? not only do they give blueberries their blue color and help improve heart health, but they may also help attack cancer-causing free radicals and possibly even block tumor cells from forming, according to a study from the university of illinois at urbana-champaign, which focused on the effects of blueberries on prostate cancer.

While research is ongoing, the scientists found evidence to suggest blueberries are a potential therapeutic agent for early stage prostate cancer or a possible means of prostate cancer prevention.

While roughage (fiber) in blue berries keep away constipation (of course, a single piece alone will not do. You need to eat a big handful of them), the vitamins, sodium, copper, fructose and acids improve digestion.

A new university of michigan cardiovascular center study suggests that blueberries may help reduce belly fat and risk factors for cardiovascular disease and metabolic syndrome. So far, we know that the fruit works on rats, which were the test subjects.

A blueberry-enriched powder was mixed into the rats' diet, which was either low-fat or high-fat rat chow. After 90 days, the rats with the blueberry-enriched diet had less abdominal fat, lower triglycerides, lower cholesterol and improved fasting glucose and insulin sensitivity. And their health was even better when combined with the low-fat diet. That group had lower body weight, lower total fat mass and reduced liver mass than the rats on the high-fat diet. An enlarged liver is linked to obesity and insulin resistance, a hallmark of diabetes.

Although more research is needed to confirm these results in humans, a related study presented at the same conference showed that men with risk factors for heart disease who drank wild blueberry juice for three weeks seemed to experience slight improvements in glucose and insulin control.

Urinary tract infections (utis) are caused by bacteria that take hold and grow inside the urinary tract, causing an infection. Symptoms don't always present themselves, but can include the strong, persistent urge to urinate, strong-smelling urine, and pelvic pain in women. In fact, utis are 10 times more common among women than men, and more than 50 percent of women will have at least one uti during their lifetime, according to the university of maryland medical center.

You've probably heard that cranberries can help fight utis a with doctors often recommending either eating the fruit or drinking cranberry juice. That's because cranberries contain compounds that prevent bacteria from sticking to bladder walls. Similarly, blueberries can help ward off utis. Like cranberries, blueberries contain substances that inhibit bacteria from binding to bladder tissue. Eating antioxidant-rich foods like blueberries can help reduce symptoms.