Web Only: Bag Yourself Some Blueberries

Blueberries are so good for you, some experts have renamed it the “brain berry”.

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  Blueberries are rich in Vitamins A, C, E and beta-carotene as well as being blessed with potassium, manganese and magnesium. They are very high in fibre and low in saturated fat, cholesterol and sodium.

• According to the US Department of Agriculture’s Human Nutrition Center, blueberries contain the highest antioxidant properties among fresh fruit and vegetables – twice that of spinach and three times that of oranges.

• Because of their high levels of antioxidants – specifically anthocyanin – blueberries are thought to help stall the loss of age-related mental capacity. Mice fed blueberries perform better in tests that involve learning and memory and show increased exploratory behaviour. So far, preliminary results on people show that those who eat a cup of blueberries a day perform five to six percent times better on motor skills tests than the control group.

• Anthocyanin is also a mild antibiotic that works against the intestinal bacteria that can cause diarrhoea.

• Another advantage of anthocyanin is that it has been found to reduce eyestrain, improve night vision and promote faster visual acuity after exposure to extremes of light and dark.

• Research has also led specialists to believe that the compounds in blueberries are capable of preventing – and even reversing – macular degeneration, the most common cause of blindness in older adults. The Japanese call it the “vision fruit”.

• Blueberries are also high in another antioxidant called pterostilbene, which is associated with the lowering of “bad” cholesterol.

• Urinary tract infections are another affliction that may be helped by blueberries; some of the compounds they contain – specifically epicatechin – are similar to those found in cranberries.

• The flavonoids in blueberries are also linked to improved blood flow.

• Ellagic acid, found in the leaves, appear to bind cancer-causing chemicals, making them inactive.

• Catechins, found in such great quantities in green tea, are also in blueberries. They are thought to diminish plaque’s formation in the arteries.

• The resveratrol in blueberries is the same as that found in the skin of red grapes, and is linked to a host of anti-cancer, ani-viral, anti-inflammatory and life-prolonging benefits.

• American Indians used blueberries as a relaxant in childbirth and to treat coughs.

For more information on blueberries, see our feature ' Life's the Berries'.