WHY YOU SHOULD ADD BLUEBERRIES TO YOUR DIET
According to the U.S. Highbush Blueberry council,
"Blueberries are packed with vitamin C.
"Blueberries are packed with vitamin C.
In just one serving, you can get 14 mg of Vitamin C – almost 25 percent of your daily requirement. Vitamin C aids the formation of collagen and helps maintain healthy gums and capillaries. It also promotes iron absorption and a healthy immune system1,2.
Blueberries are dynamos of dietary fiber.
Research has shown that most of us don’t get enough fiber in our diets. Eating foods high in fiber will help keep you regular, your heart healthy and your cholesterol in check. A handful of blueberries can help you meet your daily fiber requirement1,2. What a tasty way to eliminate this worry from your day!
Blueberries are an excellent source of manganese.
Manganese plays an important role in bone development and in converting the proteins, carbohydrates and fats in food into to energy – a perfect job for blueberries3.
Blueberries are leaders in antioxidant activity.
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), blueberries are near the top when it comes to antioxidant activity per serving (ORAC values). Their capacity is impressive – click here to see how the antioxidant activity in blueberries compares to other foods4. Antioxidants work to neutralize free radicals — unstable molecules linked to the development of cancer, cardiovascular disease and other age-related conditions such as Alzheimer’s. Substances in blueberries called polyphenols, specifically the anthocyanins that give the fruit its blue hue, are the major contributors to antioxidant activity5. "
M&F Hers Magazine also states "A recent study in rats -- follow-up trials on humans are already underway -- found that 90 days of blueberry-powder ingestion reduced abdominal fat, decreased cholesterol and triglyceride levels, and improved glucose and insulin sensitivity. Even more impressive was that blueberries actually upregulated genes that control fat-burning and downregulated those controlling fat storage."Resources:
* U.S. Highbush Blueberry council
* M&F Hers Magazine March/April 2010 issue
* Images found on Google images
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