The Super Fruit Handbook: Wild Blueberries - Mother Nature's Brain Food

The Super Fruit Handbook: Wild Blueberries - Mother Nature's Brain Food
In 2004, the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry showed research results conducted by the USDA on this little blue fruit. The research results revealed the antioxidant capacity of the wild had the highest antioxidant capacity, per serving, of more than 20 other fruits used in the research. The researchers used ORAC - Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity to compare all of the fruits used in the research. The researchers found that a one-cup serving of wild blueberries racked up more total antioxidant capacity than a serving of cranberries, raspberries, plums and cultivated blueberries.

Blueberries are Good Brain Food

Several studies conducted on blueberries point to interesting results. A study from the USDA in 1999, showed a diet rich in blueberry extract helped to fight some loss of coordination and balance and showed improved short-term memory in aged rats.

Blueberries are a major source of flavonoids that have diverse biochemical and antioxidant benefits. Research has shown that these flavonoids have the ability to cross the barrier between the brain and blood flow. Short-term and long-term memory is controlled by tiny brain cells called neurons.

Researchers believe the unique flavonoids in blueberries may help memory and learning by enhancing the connection between these tiny neurons. By enhancing and improving communication the neurons may regenerate themselves. In addition, food scientists have been able to identify the specific are of the brain responsible for memory-control and learning. This specific area of the brain is the hippocampus. Thus, increased flavonoid consumption can have a positive affect on the memory.

Here are a few suggestions to get the brain benefits of the wild blueberry:

" Fresh Blueberry: When in season, you can get fresh blueberries straight from the farm market or the produce section of your local store. Unfortunately, fresh blueberry are only in season for a few short weeks during the summer months. Thus, find fresh blueberries may be very difficult.

" Frozen Blueberry: Enjoy a few thawed blueberries in your pancakes or muffins. To get your hands on frozen blueberries visit the refrigeration section of your local grocery store.

" Dried Blueberry: A handful of dried blueberries make a great healthy snack or an addition to your morning cereal. They also make a good alternative to the candy in the candy jar next to your computer. Dried blueberries make a great choice since they are available year round. One source for dried blueberries is Traverse Bay Farms The company will ship dried blueberry directly to your home or office.

" Ready-to-Drink Blueberry Juice and Blueberry Juice Concentrate: Both of these blueberry products are available in your local grocery store.

" Blueberry Extract (Super Fruit Supplements): Blueberry supplements are the most convenient and easiest way to get the natural health benefits of the blueberry. These super fruit dietary supplements start with the whole blueberry. The entire blueberry is used to produce the blueberry capsules, including the skin and the flesh of the fruit. A good source for blueberry capsules is from Fruit Advantage

Add some wild blueberries to your daily diet for a natural brain benefit.
Russ Anderson bio - Download a free report on the natural healing benefits of superfruits from the super fruit handbook website

Article Source: http://www.rightbiz.com

Russ Anderson is an avid writer about the the natural benefits of food. Download a free copy of the Super Fruit Handbook at www.superfruithandbook.com. To learn more about the blueberry visit www.traversebayfarms.com

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