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Top 10 health benefits of Blueberries
 A new University of Michigan Cardiovascular Center study suggests that
blueberries may help reduce belly fat
and risk factors for
cardiovascular
disease and metabolic syndrome.
Blueberries are the fruits of a shrub that belong to the heath family, which
includes the cranberry and bilberry as well as the azalea, mountain laurel and
rhododendron. Blueberries grow in clusters and range in size from that of a
small pea to a marble. They are deep in color, ranging from blue to maroon to
purple-black, and feature a white-gray waxy "bloom" that covers the surface
serving as a protective coat. The skin surrounds a semi-transparent flesh that
encases tiny seeds.
According to a study presented at the 2009
Experimental Biology conference, a diet rich in blueberries lowers blood
cholesterol levels while improving glucose control and insulin sensitivity,
lowering the risk of subsequent
heart disease and
diabetes.
Not only are blueberries yummy, they have some fantastic health benefits
which include:
  The highest antioxidant capacity of all fresh fruit: Blue
Berries, being very rich in
anti oxidants like Anthocyanin,
vitamin C, B
complex,
vitamin E,
vitamin A,
copper (a very effective immune builder and
anti-bacterial),
selenium,
zinc,
iron (promotes immunity by raising haemoglobin and oxygen concentration in blood) etc. boost up your
immune
system and prevent infections. Once your immunity is strong, you won’t catch
colds, fever, pox and all such nasty viral and bacterial communicable
diseases.
 Neutralizes free radicals which can affect disease and aging in the
body: Blue Berries bring you the brightest ray of hope, for they are
laden with anti oxidants and rank number 1 in the world of anti oxidants. This
is mainly due to presence of Anthocyanin, a pigment responsible for the blue
color of the blue berries. The abundance of vitamin-C is also a big factor for
this as well.
 Aid in reducing Belly Fat: A new University of Michigan
 Cardiovascular Center study suggests that blueberries may help reduce belly
fat and risk factors for cardiovascular disease and metabolic syndrome. So
far, we know that the fruit works on rats, which were the test subjects. A
blueberry-enriched powder was mixed into the rats' diet, which was either
low-fat or high-fat rat chow. After 90 days, the rats with the
blueberry-enriched diet had less
abdominal fat, lower triglycerides, lower
cholesterol and improved fasting glucose and insulin sensitivity. And their
health was even better when combined with the
low-fat diet. That group had
lower body weight, lower
total fat mass and reduced liver mass than the rats
on the high-fat diet. An enlarged liver is linked to obesity and insulin
resistance, a hallmark of diabetes. Although more research is needed to
confirm these results in humans, a related study presented at the same
conference showed that men with risk factors for heart disease who drank wild
blueberry juice for three weeks seemed to experience slight improvements in
glucose and insulin control.
 Helps promote urinary tract health: The building of colonies of
certain bacteria like b-coli along the lining of the inner walls of urinary
tract is responsible for this infection, resulting in inflammation, burning
sensation during in passage of urine and other complications. Here, Blue
Berries can be surprisingly beneficial. It has a compound formed of big
polymer like heavy molecules which inhibits the growth of such bacteria. It
also has some anti biotic properties which adds to this effect. These heavy
and big molecules almost wash-off these bacteria along the tract, thereby
preventing the infection.
  Been proved to preserve vision: Blueberry extract, high in
compounds called anthocyanosides, has been found in clinical studies to slow
down visual loss. They can prevent or delay all age related ocular problems
like macular degeneration,
cataract,
myopia and hypermetropia, dryness and
infections, particularly those pertaining to retina, due to their anti-oxidant
properties. Blue Berries contain a special group of anti oxidants called
Carotenoids (lutein, zeaxanthin etc.), Flavonoids (like rutin, resveritrol,
quercetin etc.), in addition to others such as vitamin C, vitamin E and
vitamin A, selenium, zinc and
phosphorus, which are very beneficial and
essential for the ocular health. Data reported in a study published in the Archives of Ophthalmology indicates that eating 3 or more servings of
fruit per day may lower your risk of age-related macular degeneration (ARMD),
the primary cause of vision loss in older adults, by 36%, compared to persons
who consume less than 1.5 servings of fruit daily.
 Brain Health:
The anthocyanin, the selenium, the
vitamins A, B-complex, C and E, the zinc, sodium, potassium, copper,
magnesium, phosphorus, manganese etc., among others, can prevent and heal
neurotic disorders by preventing degeneration and death of neurons,
brain-cells and also by restoring health of the central nervous system. It is
hard to believe that these berries can also cure serious problems like
Alzheimer’s disease to a great extent. They even heal damaged brain cells and
neuron tissues and keep your memory sharp for a long-long time. Researchers
found that diets rich in blueberries significantly improved both the learning
capacity
 and motor skills of aging animals, making them mentally equivalent to
much younger ones.
 Heart Disease:
The high fiber content, those brilliant
anti oxidants and the ability to dissolve the ‘bad cholesterol’ make the Blue
Berry an ideal dietary supplement to cure many heart diseases. It also
strengthens the cardiac muscles. In this study, published in the Journal of
Agriculture and Food Chemistry, researchers found that a moderate drink
(about 4 ounces) of white wine contained .47 mmol of free radical absorbing
antioxidants, red wine provided 2.04 mmol, and a wine made from highbush
blueberries delivered 2.42 mmol of these protective plant compounds.
  Constipation & Digestion:
While roughage (fiber) in Blue
Berries keep away constipation (Of course, a single piece alone will not do.
You need to eat a big handful of them), the vitamins, sodium, copper, fructose
and acids improve digestion.
 Cancer:
Blue Berries can prove to be bliss for the cancer
patients, for they contain certain compounds like Pterostilbene (excellent
remedy for colon and liver cancer) and Ellagic Acid which, in harmony with
Anthocyanin and other anti oxidants like vitamin-C and copper, can do miracles
to prevent and cure cancer. Laboratory studies published in the Journal of
Agricultural and Food Chemistry show that phenolic compounds in
blueberries can inhibit colon cancer cell proliferation and induce apoptosis
(programmed cell death). A significant 34% reduction in
ovarian cancer
risk
was also seen in women with the highest intake of the flavone luteolin (found
in citrus).
 Other benefits & facts:
They keep you fresh, active, fit,
sharp, close to nature and in a good mood, as they are very good
anti
depressants. You also need not spend a lot on medicines, neither are there any
side effects. Remember, the deeper the color of the Blue Berries, the more
they are rich in anti oxidants and other medicinal values.
 How to Choose?
Choose blueberries that are firm and have a lively, uniform hue colored with
a whitish bloom. Shake the container, noticing whether the berries have the
tendency to move freely; if they do not, this may indicate that they are soft
and damaged or moldy. Avoid berries that appear dull in color or are soft and
watery in texture. They should be free from moisture since the presence of water
will cause the berries to decay. When purchasing frozen berries, shake the bag
gently to ensure that the berries move freely and are not clumped together,
which may suggest that they have been thawed and refrozen.
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