Why Blueberries Really ARE the Best Food For Your Health

They are the little blue fruits which put the ‘super’ in superfoods.

Blueberries are jam-packed with health-boosting compounds which have been linked to seemingly endless health benefits.

From the Holy Grail of slowing the ageing process to fighting devastating ailments like heart disease and Alzheimer’s, blueberries have been hailed in numerous studies.

A recent study placed them top of the list when it comes to antioxidant activity – compared to 40 other fresh fruits and vegetables.  Kirkland Signature Who... Buy New $24.37 ($0.61 / Ounce) (as of 07:00 UTC - Details)

Scientists at the US Department of Agriculture Human Nutrition Center put them top of the crops for mopping up harmful by-products of metabolism in the blood, known as free radicals.

They have been poked, prodded and ripped apart in a series of tests which have also detected other chemicals in the berries which reduce harmful cholesterol levels and even prevent bladder infections.

But while scientists continue to seek out the health boosting qualities, blueberries have even been used to treat the likes of cystitis since medieval times.

Now it seems the old wives knew what they were doing.

Here, writing for The Hippocratic Post, Megan Campbell explains while blueberries may not be a cure-all, they do have definite health benefits…. 

REDUCE SIGNS OF AGEING TruNature Blueberry St... Buy New $10.31 ($0.05 / Count) (as of 01:00 UTC - Details)

Blueberries, along with other colourful fruits and vegetables, contain high levels of antioxidants.

These compounds help to mop up damaging oxygen free radicals in the blood, which can damage cell membranes and DNA through a process known as oxidative stress.

Free radicals cause many of the physical signs of ageing.

ANTI-CANCER

Recent work indicates that blueberries contain compounds with anti-cancer properties.

They act to induce enzymes that protect against cancer and reduce rapid tumour growth.  Whole Fruit Blueberry ... Buy New $19.95 (as of 07:40 UTC - Details)

Antioxidants also help to prevent or delay the onset of certain diseases, such as cancer.

CAN EASE SYMPTOMS OF DIARRHOEA

In Sweden, dried blueberries are used to treat childhood diarrhoea.

Anthocyanoside compounds are believed to kill the E. Coli bacteria, which is sometimes linked to the infection.

BOOST CONCENTRATION AND MEMORY

Researchers at Tufts University in Boston found that ageing mice who were given blueberry extract improved their balance, coordination, and short-term memory.

Anthocyanin, which gives the blueberries their strong purple colour, appears to protect the neurons in the brain.

Read the Whole Article