Nutritious Blueberries

For years, we have known that antioxidants play a major role in health promotion. Blueberries contain more disease-fighting antioxidants than most fruits or vegetables. In fact, a United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) study conducted by Tufts University researchers examined 40 commercially available fruits and vegetables and ranked blueberries #1 in terms of antioxidant activity.

Antioxidants are important for their ability to neutralize free radicals. By neutralizing free radicals, antioxidants help protect against oxidative damage to human cells that can lead to a variety of serious health conditions, including cancer.

It is believed that consumption of ellagic acid, an antioxidant found in blueberries may reduce a person's risk of cancer by blocking the metabolic pathways that can promote cancer. Laboratory research has found that ellagic acid may actually slow the growth of some cancerous tumors.

Numerous studies have indicated people who eat fruits high in ellagic acid are significantly less likely to develop cancer than people who do not consume ellagic acid through their diets. Blueberries, along with other berries such as raspberries, blackberries and boysenberries, have more ellagic acid than any other fruits.

Recent research has identified additional components of blueberries that may play an important role in preventing and fighting cancer. A 2005 study published in The Journal of Food Science indicated that different types of phenolic compounds found in wild blueberries are active during different stages of cancer. The results of this study suggest a broad spectrum of potential cancer fighting benefits related to wild blueberry consumption.

Blueberries have sterol compounds, which are believed to actually inhibit cancer in its initiation state. Additionally, blueberries have anthocyanin pigments, which may have the ability to halt cancer in the critical stages of promotion and proliferation. A 2005 study published in the Journal of Biochemistry and Cell Biology indicated that, in isolated cells, the tannins found blueberries are very active at lowering a protein that plays a role in the metastasis of cancer.

Blueberries may be one of nature's super foods in terms of health benefits. In addition to helping prevent and fight cancer, the compounds in blueberries are believed to contribute to fighting a variety of other serious medical conditions.

Consumption of blueberries may help prevent and fight Alzheimer's disease, heart disease, eye disease and some forms of blindness, urinary tract infections, and other serious and potentially deadly conditions. Consuming blueberries may even slow the signs of aging and help reduce cholesterol.

The USDA food pyramid recommends daily fruit consumption for everyone. The recommended amount varies based on individual factors such as age, sex, and level of physical activity. Anti-oxidant rich blueberries are a great choice to fulfill your daily fruit intake. In addition to being tasty and low-calorie, they can play a major role in helping maintain good health.

For the greatest health benefit, blueberries should be eaten as whole fruit, ideally in their raw and unprocessed form. Many of the beneficial nutrients are lost when blueberries, and any other fruits, are processed. Whole blueberries have more nutrients than juices or supplements made from processed blueberries. It only makes sense to eat healthy food that tastes great and helps fight disease.

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