Boost your health with blueberries

Every time you go to the grocery store, blueberries should be at the top of your list.  There is a lot of nutrition packed into each one of those small berries and you don’t want to miss out on everything they have to offer.

Blueberries are one of the few fruits native to North America with the U. S. and Canada being by far the world’s largest growers of this berry.  During the months of June and July is when blueberries reach their peak but thanks to imports from South America, blueberries are now available year-round.  Whether fresh, frozen, dried, or canned, blueberries can be a part of your diet in various ways.

When choosing blueberries, look for firm, uniformly colored berries.  Keep in the refrigerator or you can freeze them or buy blueberries already frozen.  In fact, research has shown that frozen blueberries retain most of their anthocyanin content whereas cooking at temperatures above 350 degrees damages these polyphenols, so go easy on the blueberry muffins.

Health benefits of blueberries

The nutritional profile of one cup of blueberries looks like this:

·      Only 80 calories

·      No fat and almost no sodium

·      Are a very good source of vitamin C, fiber, manganese and potassium

Blueberries have numerous health benefits primarily because of a compound they contain called phytochemicals.

Phytochemicals are found in many types of fruits and vegetables, including blueberries, and are responsible for giving them their richly colored blue hue.  They are also said to be bioactive and very important for our health.

Phytochemicals have healthful properties acting as an antioxidant, anticancer, anti-neurodegenerative, and anti-inflammatory agent.  They basically help in the prevention and treatment of health conditions ranging from heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, and cancer.

Blueberries and heart health

Blueberries love your heart and want to protect it so why not let it?  Research has shown people who consume these delicious berries on a regular basis have the greatest benefit and lowest risk factors for heart disease. 

A chemical found in blueberries called kaempferol, prevents oxidative damage of our cells, lipids, and DNA.   Another compound found in blueberries called chlorogenic acid limits low density lipoproteins (LDL) oxidation, the major determinant of atherosclerosis.

Other studies have shown blueberries to improve blood pressure and reduce arterial stiffness with the average systolic blood pressure (the top number) declining by 5.1%, while the diastolic pressure dropping by 6.3%.

Blueberries and diabetes

The antioxidant chlorogenic acid found in blueberries may slow the release of glucose into the bloodstream, helping the body better handle this sugar.  The anthocyanins in blueberries appear to improve pancreatic beta cell functioning.

Blueberries and vision

You don’t often hear of blueberries healthy effect on our vision but research shows that blueberries antioxidants help reduce eye strain, photo damage to the retina, and protect retinal cells from chemical toxins.

Blueberries and Alzheimer’s disease

The consumption of blueberries is believed to play a role in delaying the development of neurodegenerative disease such as Alzheimer’s disease.  Blueberry extract has been shown to reverse some age-related neuronal degeneration resulting in better spatial recall.

Anthocyanins richly found in blueberries, maybe the real star in boosting brain health.  This important phytochemical is able to cross the blood-brain barrier possibly helping decrease vulnerability to the oxidative stress that occurs with aging by reducing inflammation and increasing signaling between neurons. 

The Nurses’ Health Study looked at 16,000 women over the age of 70 and found that women who consumer two or more half-cup servings of blueberries or strawberries per week experienced slower mental decline which was the equivalent of up to two and a half years of delayed aging. 

Animal studies have found that the addition of blueberries to their diet improved short-term memory, navigational skills, balance and coordination.

Blueberries and digestive health

All berries, including blueberries have a special health effect on the digestive tract.  They help inhibit the growth of Heliobacter pylori. H pylori, a bacterial infection leading to peptic ulcer disease.

Berries can also inhibit the growth of several intestinal pathogens such as Salmonella and Staphylococcus.

Blueberries and urinary tract health

In the urinary tract, blueberry antioxidants fight infection, preventing the adhesion of harmful bacteria and act as an antimicrobial agent.  Anthocyanin is responsible for preventing adhesion and proliferation activity of E. Coli bacteria in a urinary tract infection.

Blueberries and cancer

The anticancer benefits of blueberries remains limited at this time even though the American Institute for Cancer Research does include them on its list of cancer-fighting foods.  In cell studies, blueberry phytochemicals have been shown to decrease free radical damage to DNA that can lead to cancer and to inhibit the growth of cancer cells.

For more information on the health benefits of blueberries along with recipes visit U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council.