Health Properties of Blueberries
Blueberries have been voted one of the top healthy "super foods" because it contains the most antioxidants out of 40 other fruits and vegetables, according to the U.S.D.A. Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging (HNRCA). Scientific research has consistently backed up claims that the berries can assist in such health issues as weight control and the effects of aging. When you purchase berries, buy ones with the darkest color you can find, for the deeper the shade of blue, the more nutrients it contains.
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Antioxidants
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The HNRCA states that the vast amount of antioxidants that blueberries contain fight the effects of free radicals, which can cause cancer, as well as help prevent diseases associated with aging.
Nutrients
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According to the World's Healthiest Foods, Blueberries contain such essential nutrients as Vitamins C and E, dietary fiber and manganese, yet are very low in calories.
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Vascular Support
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It is also reported on World's Healthiest Foods that the colorful pigments in blueberries, called anthocyanins, improve the integrity of the body's vascular system.
Lowers Cholesterol
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The U.S. Department of Agriculture has said that due to an antioxidant in blueberries called pterostilbene, they can reduce cholesterol better than prescription drugs.
Urinary Tract Health
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A study conducted by the Rutgers University Blueberry Cranberry Research Center found that blueberries contain compounds that keep the bacteria that causes urinary tract infections from attaching to the walls of the bladder.
Improved Brain Function
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A study by the HNRCA showed that blueberries slowed the loss in mental capacity that occurs in relation to aging, and that the fruit could also play a strong role in fighting Parkinson's disease.
Helps Eyesight
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The website True Blue reports that studies conducted in Europe indicate that the anthocyanin found in blueberries can help improve night vision and reduce eyestrain, and that they can prevent or even reverse muscular degeneration, which causes vision loss in older adults.
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