Blueberry Nutrition
More than just the best tasting berry around, blueberries are natures very own SUPER-
FRUIT. While you are enjoying our delicious blueberries you could possibly be
benefiting from many of the following observations of various leading authorities.
Note: We are Berry growers and not medical researchers, we are not claiming these benefits, others are. We advise you to conduct your own
research. As one health professional observes, results may vary from person to person and cannot be guaranteed.
MOUNTAINVALE - Excellence in Australian Grown Cold Climate Berry Fruit
© Mountainvale Pty Ltd 2016
Cancer
Blueberries can prove to be
extremely valuable for cancer
patients, for they contain
certain compounds like
Pterostilbene (an excellent
remedy for colon and liver
cancer) gallic acid, resveratrol
and Ellagic Acid which, in
harmony with Anthocyanin and
other antioxidants like vitamin-
C and copper, can do miracles
to both prevent and cure
cancer.
Clinical studies have even
discovered that, unlike radiation
and chemotherapy strategies,
gallic acid-rich foods like
blueberries can kill cancer
without harming healthy cells!
For instance, the Journal of
Biochemical and Molecular
Toxicology published a study
evaluating the anticancer
effects gallic acid has on breast
cancer cells. Like countless
studies before, researchers
discovered that blueberries and
gallic acid slow and even
destroy breast cancer.
Heart Disease
The high fiber content, those
brilliant antioxidants, and
their ability to dissolve the
‘bad cholesterol’ naturally
and lower blood pressure
naturally makes blueberries
an ideal dietary supplement
to cure many heart diseases,
while also strengthening the
cardiac muscles.
The journal Circulation
published a study showing
that eating strawberries and
blueberries together has a
superpower tag-team effect
that actually decreases your
risk of heart attack by up to
33 percent.
Nutrition
If you had to choose just one berry to consume on a regular
basis, it would be the blueberry. Blueberries are one of the most
nutrient-dense foods in the world and contain large levels and a
broad range of antioxidants. Consuming just one cup (148
grams) of blueberries provides the following nutrients:
•
Fiber: 17% of the RDA.
•
Vitamin C: 24% of the RDA.
•
Vitamin K: 36% of the RDA.
•
Manganese: 25% of the RDA.
That same one-cup serving provides iron, calcium, potassium,
magnesium, phosphorus, selenium, sodium, zinc, copper,
folate, beta-carotene, thiamin, riboflavin, choline, vitamin A,
vitamin B6 and vitamin E.
But perhaps it's the phytonutrients in blueberries that provide
the most important health benefits. Anthocyanins,
hydroxycinnamic acids (such as caffeic, ferulic, and coumaric
acid), hydroxybenzoic acids (gallic and procatechuic acid),
flavonols (such as kaempferol, quercetin, and myricetin), as well
as pterostilbene, resveratrol, lutein and zeananthin. All unique to
themselves and in combination with other compounds, each has
antioxidant and inflammation-fighting properties
Anthocyanins in particular, which give blueberries their vivid
colour, are well known for their natural ability to neutralize free
radicals. Gallic acid also stands out for several reasons. One,
most people have never heard of it, and it is definitely worthy of
mention. Two, it has been thoroughly researched, (over 6,500
scientific articles) so it’s safe to assume that the health claims
are credible. Three, as the research indicates, gallic acid is a
powerful antifungal/antiviral agent and is an extremely effective
antioxidant. This combination makes gallic acid-rich foods like
blueberries a natural medicine powerhouse.
An entire cup contains only 84 calories, 0 grams of cholesterol,
1.1 grams of protein, 0.49 grams of fat, 21 grams of
carbohydrate, 15 grams of sugar and 4 grams of Fiber.
0437 340 141
Mountainvale Pty Ltd
Constipation & Digestion
While the roughage (fiber) in
a couple handfuls of
blueberries prevents
constipation, the vitamins,
sodium, copper, fructose and
acids improve digestion by
stimulating the correct
gastric and digestive juices
to move food smoothly and
safely through your
gastrointestinal system.
Eye Care & Macular Degeneration
Blueberries are one of the best alternatives for spectacles,
contact-lenses, eye-drops, medications and eye surgeries. They
can prevent or delay all age-related ocular problems like
macular degeneration, cataracts, myopia and hypermetropia,
dryness, and infections, particularly those pertaining to the
retina, due to their antioxidant properties. Macular degeneration
is a serious problem where the retina of the eye degenerates
gradually, ultimately leading to complete or partial blindness.
Blueberries contain special groups of antioxidants called
carotenoids (lutein, zeaxanthin etc.), flavonoids (like rutin,
resveritrol, quercetin etc.), and other antioxidant compounds like
vitamin C, vitamin E, vitamin A, selenium, zinc and phosphorus,
which are all very beneficial and essential for ocular health.
Skin Benefits
Blueberry extract skin care
products are becoming very
popular around the world. It’s
been reported that the wide
spectrum of vitamins and
minerals help restore
hormone balance, which
counteracts acne.
Also, blueberries contain
resveratrol, which is proven
to reduce damage from over-
sun exposure and can
naturally darken your skin
Diabetes
Several studies have shown
that blueberries have anti-
diabetic effects, helping to
improve insulin sensitivity and
lower blood sugar levels.
Blueberries are moderate in
sugar when compared to other
fruits. One cup contains 15
grams, which is equivalent to a
small apple or large orange.
However, the bioactive
compounds in blueberries
appear to outweigh any
negative impact of the sugar
when it comes to blood sugar
control.
Research suggests that
anthocyanins in blueberries can
have beneficial effects on
insulin sensitivity and glucose
metabolism. Improved insulin
sensitivity should lower the risk
of metabolic syndrome and
type 2 diabetes, which are
currently some of the world’s
biggest health problems.
Fat & Weight Control
Researchers have found that blueberry intake affected genes
linked to fat burning and storage.
Catechins found in blueberries activate fat-burning genes in
abdominal fat cells to assist with weight loss, and belly fat loss
in particular. According to research at Tufts University, regularly
ingesting catechins increases abdominal fat loss by 77 percent
and double total weight loss
A University of Michigan Cardiovascular Center study showed
that groups fed blueberries had less abdominal fat, and lower
triglycerides (blood fats) and cholesterol than groups not fed
blueberries.
Being low in calories, low on the glycemic index and high in
fiber, everyone has reasons to eat blueberries to lose weight!
Immunity
Blueberries, being very rich in antioxidants like Anthocyanin,
vitamin C, B complex, vitamin E, vitamin A, copper (a very
effective immune builder and anti-bacterial substance),
selenium, zinc, and iron (promotes immunity by raising
hemoglobin and oxygen concentration in blood), it can seriously
boost your immune system and prevent infections. Once your
immune system is strong, you have a reduced chance of
catching colds, fever, pox and countless other communicable
diseases spread by bacteria and viruses.
Urinary Tract Infection
For this condition,
blueberries can be
surprisingly beneficial. It has
a compound formed of large,
polymer-like molecules which
inhibit the growth of certain
bacterial colonies like E-coli
along the lining of the inner
walls of urinary tract. It also
has certain antibiotic
properties which add to this
effect. These heavy
molecules scrub these
bacteria off the walls along
the tract, thereby preventing
the infection. So far, this
compound has only been
found in cranberries and
blueberries.
Well Being
Blueberries keep you feeling fresh, active, fit, sharp and in a good mood, as they are very good
antidepressants. They increase the production of feel-good dopamine. Dopamine is a natural
neurotransmitter (brain messenger) that tends to be low in Parkinson’s.
Because they contain plentiful amounts of the phytonutrient quercetin, they may reduce the likelihood and
severity of allergies.
Blueberries contain salicylic acid—the natural version of aspirin. Salicylic acid is known to thin the blood
and reduce pain.
You could find yourself reducing the money you spend on medicine, because blueberries are effectively
assist in so many different conditions. There are also no negative side effects associated with this
“superfood”.
In other words, eat them until your tongue turns blue in order to live a long and healthy life.
Ageing
Aside from genetic factors, for
which there is no apparent
solution, if we consider the
effect of free radicals as the
main cause of various
symptoms of aging, then
blueberries bring you the
brightest ray of hope for staying
young.
These "superfood" berries are
packed with antioxidants and
rank very highly in the world of
antioxidants. This is mainly due
to presence of Anthocyanin, a
pigment responsible for the
blue colour of the blue berries.
The abundance of vitamin-C is
also a big factor for this
impressive claim as well. You
can assist to prevent signs of
ageing like wrinkles, age spots,
cataracts, osteoporosis, hair
loss, dementia, and Alzheimer's
disease by eating blueberries
and getting the most out of the
antioxidant potential!
Brain Function & Memory
Again, the antioxidant
properties of blueberries come
into play. The anthocyanin, the
selenium, the vitamins A, B-
complex, C and E, zinc,
sodium, potassium, copper,
magnesium, phosphorus,
manganese and all the others
can prevent and heal neurotic
disorders by preventing the
degeneration and death of
neurons.
These essential nutrients also
protect brain cells and help to
restore the health of the central
nervous system. It is hard to
believe that these berries can
also cure serious problems like
Alzheimer's disease to a great
extent. They even heal
damaged brain cells and
neuron tissues to keep your
memory sharp for a very long
time.