NUTRA NEWS: Blueberries are nature’s number one

Canadian Wild Blueberries have more of the antioxidant power than any other fruit or vegetable. Ranked number one for Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity, the definitive test of a food’s overall antioxidant power, studies attribute the extraordinary benefits of these small, sweet berries to anthocyanins, the pigments that give blueberries their distinctive colour.

Anthocyanins are important to our wellbeing because they aid vision health, prevent macular degeneration and help to protect against brain ageing.

It has been well documented that anthocyanins may promote increased memory, concentration and co-ordination, and help combat conditions such as dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.

Other antioxidants found in abundance in wild blueberries include epicatechin,
which protects against urinary tract infections, and the cancer fighting pterostilbene, which helps reduce the build up of ‘bad’ cholesterol that can lead to heart disease and stroke.

Antioxidant compounds such as pectin and ellagic acid, both contain health promoting attributes and tannins that reduce inflammation in the digestive system.

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