People everywhere are searching for better health, and many have become interested in natural health and nutrition as a means for becoming and staying healthy. I would like to participate in creating a healthier society, one that looks to natural means and encourages and empowers people to become their own health advocates. I would like to advance that vision by delivering honest, accurate, and helpful information about holistic nutrition and other natural health concepts so that people are able to make informed choices about their bodies and health.

Thursday, July 15, 2010

"Top 10" -- Blueberries

Blueberries are plentiful at this time of year making them particularly easy to incorporate into the diet. They are less expensive in the summer months, as well, and "locally grown" blueberries can often be found in grocery stores. Many orchards and farms also offer blueberry picking for those interested in the adventure of gathering their own food. Fresh blueberries are in season in the United States from May through October, but frozen blueberries grown in other countries are available here throughout the year.2

Blueberries aren't just delicious -- they have been shown to curtail memory loss and other types of brain deterioration.1 This is primarily because of compounds called anthocyanins that provide antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects helping to reduce the chance of getting Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, heart disease, and arthritis.1 These compounds may also help to maintain eye health.1

Blueberries have a very high Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity (ORAC) rating, which means they have a significant capability to combat free radicals.1 "Blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries top the list when it comes to free-radical scavenging antioxidants."3 Research has even shown that wild blueberries demonstrate some remarkable cancer fighting abilities.1

Blueberries also contains a substance called pterostilbene, which is more effective than resveratol in reducing cholesterol, limiting artery plaque, and reducing blood fat.1

Blueberries are easily accessible at any time of year and can be eaten fresh or frozen to obtain their health benefits.1 My favorite ways to eat them are in smoothies, on oatmeal or cereal, and by the handful as an easy snack.

Unfortunately, blueberries are on the Environmental Working Group's "Dirty Dozen" list of foods most heavily contaminated with pesticides, so buying organic is recommended. For more information, please visit http://www.foodnews.org/ or http://www.ewg.org/.

1Bowden, J. (2007). The 150 healthiest foods on earth: the surprising, unbiased truth about what you should eat and why. Beverly, MA: Fair Winds Press.
2WHFoods.com. July 16, 2010. Blueberries. Retrieved from http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tnames=foodspice&dbid=8
3Tweed, V. and Vukovic, L. Spring 2010. Amazing Wellness. Supercharge.
Posted by at

No comments:

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)