| Why pick out and discuss the health benefits of | | | | infections |
| blueberries over all the readily available fruits and | | | | - Better memory |
| berries? | | | | - And they have been shown to promote the |
| The answer is found when listening to nutritional | | | | achievement of a healthy weight |
| health advisers, who I have no doubt you have | | | | The reason blueberries can offer so many health |
| heard recommend you eat at least 5 servings of | | | | benefits, is because of the dense antioxidant |
| fruit and vegetables each day. They especially | | | | content of the berry. Antioxidants have been |
| recommend eating a variety of colored | | | | shown to be able to stop the cell damage caused |
| vegetables, as they contain certain beneficial | | | | by free radicals. |
| nutrients, which we will come on to. | | | | Free radicals are believed to play a part in |
| If your diet consists of just one type of fruit or | | | | speeding up the ageing process and in the |
| vegetable, or a limited selection, you are missing | | | | development of cancer. Anything that can be |
| out on many of the essential nutrients required to | | | | done to reduce the level of free radicals in the |
| keep your body healthy. Different colored fruits | | | | blood stream is beneficial for the body's health |
| particularly contain a different set of chemicals, | | | | One of key antioxidants contained within |
| which are beneficial for the body. | | | | blueberries is anthocyanins. This incredible chemical |
| This is one of the reasons that blueberries are | | | | is found in other fruits and vegetables as well, but |
| one of the most nutrient rich of all foods. | | | | in blueberries it has a high concentration. |
| As well as numerous other health benefits, | | | | Incredibly, blueberries are being studied to access |
| blueberries have been linked to helping cancer | | | | their ability to prevent heart disease and suppress |
| patients reduce their symptoms, due to the rich | | | | the formation of blood clots in the body. |
| antioxidant content within the berry. | | | | They has also been some suggestion that they |
| In addition to their possible use in cancer | | | | can help with eyesight and improve night vision, in |
| prevention, they are being researched for their | | | | a similar fashion to Bilberries, by slowing the |
| ability to help with the protection of the brain and | | | | progress of macular generation by strengthening |
| to reduce memory loss. | | | | small blood vessels at the back of the eye. |
| They are also considered one of the best known | | | | Finally, in addition to all the great health benefits |
| fruits for the improving how the urinary tract | | | | mentioned offered by blueberries, they are a low |
| works, slowing the ageing process, and associated | | | | calorie food, with half a cup being just 40 calories, |
| symptoms of getting older. | | | | but also providing a good source of potassium, |
| It is believed that many of these benefits are due | | | | vitamin c, iron, as well as dietary fiber. In fact half |
| to the healthy phytochemicals packed in the | | | | a cup of blueberries provides an equivalent |
| blueberry, including anthocyanins and phenolics, | | | | amount of dietary fibre as a slice of whole-wheat |
| which are being researched for their anti cancer | | | | bead. |
| and anti ageing properties in many studies. | | | | |
| The list of benefits from having blueberries as | | | | If you are interested in finding out more about |
| part of your diet are long, and they include: | | | | natural ways to stay healthy sign up for our |
| - The improvement of eyesight | | | | newsletter below. |
| - A reduced risk of heart disease | | | | In summary, not only are the amazing health |
| - Stronger blood vessels | | | | benefits of blueberries clear to see, they are |
| - Reduced risk of urinary tract problems and | | | | delicious to eat as well. |