You Hear a Lot About Blueberries for a Reason
By Tom Herrin
It doesn’t take an expert to know that blueberries seem to have a place in a healthy menu. There is lots of information pointing to that conclusion. They may be the most talked about fruit around in recent years. Obviously there is pretty good reason. Since our society seems to have awakened to the fact that we need a variety of foods to manage our health more effectively, we have given much more attention to those foods that are truly winners in the area of providing the things we need in order to be the healthiest we can be. Blueberries may very well top that list as they appear to have grown by leaps and bounds in popularity.
They May Improve Brain Function and Memory
Dementia and other brain-related problems receive quite a bit of attention today. There is no doubt that with people living longer, some of this is attributed to that. It has been discovered that the antioxidants in blueberries tend to find their way to places in the brain that have to do with intelligence. This helps to fight oxidation that can occur there. This oxidation is somewhat like the oxidation, or rusting, of other things. They seem to lose their usefulness and whither away.
They May Help in Preventing Heart Attacks
The antioxidants in blueberries seem to border on miracle status. They do a lot of big jobs. One of them is that they seem to reduce inflammation. This includes the blood vessels in which inflammation there can contribute to heart problems. In one study of more than 90,000 nurses, eating an ample amount of anthocyanin, which is the big antioxidant in blueberries, was apparently related to a 32 percent reduction in the rate of heart attacks. That is a really significant number.
They May Help in Limiting Diabetes
These same anthocyanins apparently help with insulin sensitivity and glucose metabolism. With the rampant levels of type 2 diabetes in the nation today, this could be a real help in keeping it at bay. Even the sugar in the blueberries themselves does not seem to cause problems. It may be a great thing to add to your menu. Your family enjoys them with breakfast, or as snacks, or many other creative ways. You can feel good in the health you may be promoting that can have a lifetime impact.
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Sparks, Nev.