Originally published August 26 2005
Blueberries are a great source of antioxidants
by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, NaturalNews Editor
High in flavonoids, blueberries are a good source of antioxidants and are especially good for healthy eyesight.
I am reminded of a study done to figure out why the Japanese people of the Okinawa Islands enjoy such good health.
This was found to be due to a diet high in flavonoid-containing foods.
Most fruits and vegetables contain flavonoids - the darker the color of the fruit or vegetable, the higher in flavonoids it is.
When our cells burn fuel for energy, they produce free-radicals as a waste product.
Antioxidants soak up free-radicals like a sponge soaks up water, decreasing cellular damage and thereby decreasing the effects of aging.
Blueberries contain a flavonoid called proanthocyanin, which are helpful for protecting vision.
Specifically, they are known to be beneficial in the prevention and treatment of age-related macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy.
Because proanthocyanins are so good at improving the strength and number of blood vessels, blueberries are good for the treatment of varicose veins, hemorrhoids and wound healing.
Current research on berries focuses on the benefits to memory in age-related cognitive decline and the prevention of brain injury after stroke.
Medical research points to chronic inflammation as a factor in many degenerative diseases such as cancer, Alzheimer's, heart disease and arthritis.
This may be why diets high in fruits and vegetables are the only nutritional recommendation consistently shown in the research to benefit health and longevity.
If that doesn't convince you to eat blueberries along with other fruits and vegetables, I don't know what will.
Isn't it wonderful something that tastes as good as berries can be so good for us?
Get down to the farmers market and pick up some berries.
Eat them fresh, cook them or freeze them for later - they retain all their goodness whether frozen or cooked.
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