Blueberry Nutritional Information
Blueberry nutritional information
Blueberries have many health benefits, including the highest antioxidant ability of all fresh fruit. They also have effective anti-inflammatory, anti-blood clotting and antibacterial effects. In the past they were often used to combat diarrhea and food poisoning.
Blueberries have been shown to have a positive effect on aging. In animal studies, blueberries appear to reverse some aspects of brain aging. Because of this blueberries have been given the nickname, the ‘brain berry’. The antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of blueberries build a protective coat around the brain to fight signs of aging and deterioration. There is also evidence that blueberries may help to prevent Alzheimer’s disease and other neurological disorders.
Besides tasting great and looking good, new research studies at the United States Department of Agriculture have revealed that blueberries can also lower cholesterol better than prescription drugs. This is due to the antioxidant compound found in blueberries called pterostilbene.
Recent studies at the Rutgers Blueberry Cranberry Research Center in Chatsworth, N.J., have shown that blueberries have compounds similar to those of cranberries and can also be used to treat and prevent urinary tract infections (UTIs). Epicatechin is a bioflavonoid (antioxidant) found in both blueberries and cranberries.
Epicatechin works to prevent bacteria from attaching to the lining of the bladder tissue. This causes the bacteria to be eliminated threw your urine rather than attaching to the bladder wall, where they start multiplying and ultimately causing infection.
Preliminary research suggests that blueberries protect against the effects of age-related deterioration of the brain, such as short-term memory loss. This is due to the antioxidant actions of flavonoids found in blueberries. They may protect against, and even reverse, some age-related memory loss by preventing degenerative free radical damage and improving blood flow, resulting in a healthier brain.
A number of studies in Europe have documented that blueberries, like their European cousins, bilberries, have very high concentrations of anthocyanin, a natural compound linked with many health benefits including reducing eyestrain, improving nighttime visual acuity, and promoting quicker adjustment to darkness and faster restoration of visual acuity after exposure to glare.
Blueberries are known to prevent and even reverse the most common cause of blindness, macular degeneration, a disease of the retina that is the primary cause of vision loss in older adults. This is due to the anthocyanin in the blue pigment in blueberries. Blueberries are so popular in Japan for its benefits on eyesight that they have nicknamed the vision fruit.
Based on data from the USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging (Boston, MA), blueberries are among the fruits with the highest antioxidant activity. Using a test called ORAC (Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity), researchers have shown that a serving of fresh blueberries provided more antioxidant activity than many other fresh fruits and vegetables.
We hope that this blueberry nutritional information has been helpful to you.
Blueberry is one of the flavor choices in Amaranth Delight, Amaranth Crunchh, and Amaranth Supreme.
Return from Blueberry Nutritional Information to Aztec Power Food Instant Cereals
