Helen’s Diet Blog

Various studies across the world indicate blueberries form an essential part of a healthy diet. Blueberries contain antioxidants, which help in protecting the body chronic diseases, which occur due to aging process. Nutrition experts share the belief that fresh fruits, such as blueberries and vegetables contain natural antioxidants such as Vitamins C and E. Blueberries provide you around 14 mg of Vitamin C and 0.8 to 0.9 mg Vitamin E in 1 cup serving of blueberries. Blueberries also provide you anthocyanins and phenolics, which also act as antioxidants.

Many researches indicate that fresh blueberries offer you more antioxidants than other fresh fruits and vegetables. Read a research excerpt on the antioxidant activity of blueberries. A research conducted by the USDA Human Nutrition Research Center laboratory, it was revealed that rats who were fed blueberries showed considerable reduction of mental capacity loss due to ageing. The studies also indicated that these mice performed better than their counterparts with motor behavioral learning and memory. In fact the brains of blueberries-fed mice showed significant reduction in stress.

Anthocyanin is an important compound, which performs the task of neuron protection. This compound lends blueberries their natural color and antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Blueberries help in suppressing the harmful effects of free radicals in the body, which can damage the cell membranes as well as DNA.

A research conducted by a team of scientists at Rutgers University in New Jersey reveals that the compounds present in blueberries called as proanthocyanidins are believed to protect urinary tract infection. So, eat fresh blueberries to stay healthy and alert even in old age.