Blueberries and Benefits to Your Eyes
Blueberries benefits to your health are numerous. That's why we've planted 8 blueberry bushes in our backyard and one wild blueberry bush. We are hoping that this year we will be rewarded with lots of antioxidant rich fruit.
Blueberries Health Benefits to the Eye
Just as we want to slow down the aging process for the rest of our bodies we want to slow down the aging process in our eyes. The eye is very vulnerable to free radical damage because it is exposed to so much sunlight and UV rays. In addition, there is lots of oxidation occurring in the retina which also creates free radicals. These free radicals then cause damage to our eyes resulting in eye conditions like cataracts and macular degeneration. This is where the blueberry antioxidant benefits can come to the rescue. Blueberry AntioxidantUSDA scientists Dr. Ronald Prior and Dr. Guohua Cao have demonstrated that blueberries contain the highest antioxidant capacity of the 40 different fruits and vegetables tested.How do they know this? By using a test called ORAC (Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity). To read more about this test click here:
ORAC Score
Health Benefits of Blueberries"The antioxidant characteristics in blueberries appear to be due largely to anthocyanins," said Dr. Prior, whose has been a key researcher in the role of antioxidants. anthocyanins which make them blue.
These compounds have "P-vitamin" functions in humans, strengthening capillaries and peripheral circulation.
Blueberries also contain flavonoids. Flavonoids are water soluble plant pigments. They support health by strengthening capillaries and other connective tissue, and some function as being anti-inflammatory. Inflammation plays a key role in the development of many chronic diseases including macular degeneration. It is possible to reduce chronic inflammation in the body through including anti-inflammatory foods in your diet.
Blueberries are rich in other antioxidant vitamins like Vitamin C, A and E.
After reading this you may want to consider growing blueberries in your backyard as well. They are easy to grow and very disease resistant.
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