Blueberries and Health Benefits
Blueberries Benefits to the Eyes
The blue in blueberries is from the anthrocyanin pigment. The word anthocyanin is a Greek word meaning plant (antho) and blue (cyanin). Anthrocyanins act as antioxidants protecting body cells from the damages causes by free radicals or oxidation. These berries are well known for their antioxidant protection. They contain high quantities of anthocyanins which make them blue. These compounds have "P-vitamin" functions in humans, strengthening capillaries and peripheral circulation. Flavonoids are water soluble plant pigments. They support health by strengthening capillaries and other connective tissue, and some function as anti-inflammatory, antihistaminic, and antiviral agents. USDA scientists Dr. Ronald Prior and Dr. Guohua Cao have demonstrated that these wonderful berries contain the highest antioxidant capacity of the 40 different fruits and vegetables tested. "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. The wild variety contain one of the highest anthocyanin levels of berries commercially available in North America." (I bought a wild blueberry plant last summer, along with my 8 other blueberry plants.) Based on data from the USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging (Boston, MA), these berries are among the fruits with the highest antioxidant activity. Using the ORAC (Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity)test, researchers have shown that a serving of fresh blueberries provides more antioxidant activity than many other fresh fruits and vegetables Benefits of BlueberriesBut this antioxidant rich food contains other important nutrients as well.
Blueberries are a source of 
Vitamin A, Vitamin C, folate and potassium.
Blueberries and Benefits to the Memory
Blueberries appeared to benefit the memory in laboratory mice who were fed blueberry extracts. Jim Joseph calls them "the brain berry." In one study, Jim Joseph, director of the neuroscience laboratory in the USDA Human Nutrition Research Center (HNRC), found that the blueberry fed rats compared to the control group had: 1) better motor behavioral learning 2) better memory 3) improved exploratory behavior 4) had less oxidative stress in two regions of the brain.
Blueberry Antioxidant
These berries contain high quantities of anthocyanins which make them blue. Based on data from the USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging (Boston, MA), blueberries are among the fruits with the highest antioxidant activity. Using the ORAC (Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity)test, researchers have shown that a serving of fresh blueberries provides more antioxidant activity than many other fresh fruits and vegetables. To find out what makes this antioxidant fruit a powerful antioxidant click here:
Blueberry Antioxidant
Blueberries and Health Benefits Year RoundWe freeze many of our home grown blueberries to use for smoothies throughout the year. Here is the blueberry smoothie recipe that I use:Blend on high the following ingredients for 2 servings: 1. One 8 oz Cup of Organic Vanilla or Blueberry Yogurt 2. 1 Cup of Unsweetened Almond Milk 3. 3/4 Cup of Frozen Organic Blueberries 4. 1/2 Banana 5. 1/2 Teaspoon of Vanilla You can make this smoothie recipe into an even healthier fruit smoothie by "hiding" some good-for-you but not great tasting stuff. 2. Use Local Honey 3. Add Ground Flax Seed Go from Blueberries and Health Benefits to Blueberries
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