Blueberry Health Benefits

Do you want to improve your vision? Enhance your memory? Reduce your risk of cancer? Blueberries are receiving international attention for the positive impact they make to the human body. Research in the United States and Canada now supports evidence that blueberries are powerful disease fighters. According to the USDA Human Nutrition Center, blueberries ranked highest when compared to antioxidant activity in 40 other test fruits and vegetables. As one of the richest sources of antioxidants they help neutralize harmful by-products in the body called "free radicals." These are unstable molecules that are linked to a number of age-related diseases, which can damage cells, DNA, and harm the immune system. A compromised immune system can lead to many degenerative diseases. When the body’s cells are exposed to environmental factors such as radiation, chemicals, pollution, smoke, drugs, alcohol, pesticides, and the sun, free radicals are formed. Other metabolic processes and poor diet can also lead to the formation of free radicals.

Recent studies support evidence that blueberries can have the following health benefits:

• Improve vision and protect against macular degeneration of the retina
• Clear, strengthen, and provide other cardiovascular protective qualities
• Reduce age-related declines in neural and cognitive function
• Promote urinary tract health
• Act as a potent anti-inflamatory agent
• Reduce the risk of some cancers such as cervical and breast cancer
• Improve short term memory loss

For a comprehensive iformation on the nutritional value of the blueberry, please visit NutritionData.com

Please visit the links below to learn more about the health benefits that blueberries provide:

WebMD
US Highbush Blueberry Council
Atlantic Blueberry
Sweet Energy
Oregon Blueberries