Blueberries: Disease Fighting Super Food

Delicious, juicy blueberries have been named by several sources as the new disease-fighting "Superfood." They're low in fat, sodium free, a good source of fiber and vitamin C, and a great way to incorporate disease-fighting antioxidants into your diet. Blueberries are natures antioxidant! In fact, antioxidant benefits include the possibility that they may boost brain functions that weaken as we age, according to Tufts researchers. Other scientists have found in animal testing that blueberries may lower cholesterol levels.

This healthy, convenient fruit was cherished by early settlers as a staple ingredient in foods and medicines. And today, North America is the world's leading producer of blueberries, accounting for nearly 90 percent of the produce. Harvest runs from mid-April through early October, with peak harvest in July, National Blueberry Month.

Choosing Your Blueberries

Choose firm blueberries that are uniform in size and indigo blue in color with a silvery frost. Discard shriveled or moldy berries and store the rest in a moisture-proof container in the refrigerator for up to one week. Don't wash fresh, frozen, or dried blueberries until just before serving.

Although berries are among the most perishable fruits, fresh blueberries can last up to 10 days in the refrigerator. If you'd like them to last even longer, freezing them at home is simple and will enable you to enjoy those tasty berries for up to one year.

Freezing Your Blueberries

To freeze, place one layer of unwashed berries on a cookie sheet in the freezer. Transfer them to a plastic freezer bag as soon as frozen. Don't forget to wash them quickly before using.

The head of the USDA Phytochemical Laboratory at Tufts and the scientist who discovered the secret power of blueberries, Ronald Prior, PhD, recommends adding one-half cup of blueberries to your diet every day! This is a far cry from the current average intake in America of 2-1/2 cup a year! If blueberries are out of season, try frozen blueberries blended into a blueberry smoothie.

Better Health with Blueberries

Blueberry for the Bladder

Blueberries, like cranberries, contain compounds that prevent bacteria from adhering to bladder walls, which helps ward off urinary-tract infections (UTIs), according to a Rutgers university study. If you get UTI's, toss a handful of blueberries into your cereal or smoothie.

Blueberry Aids Detox

Blueberries contain natural aspirin that helps reduce the tissue damaging effects of chronic inflammation, while reducing pain. Blueberries also act as an antibiotic by blocking bacteria in the urinary tract, thereby helping to prevent infections. They also have antiviral properties.

Cancer Fighter

Blueberrie's anthocyanins - which give them their blue hue - attack cancer causing free radicals and can even blcok the growth of tumor cells, a University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign study found. Eating just half a cup a day (like in a slice of pie!) is all you need.

Blueberries: A Brain Food

To work smarter, pack dried blueberry trail mix for a snack. A study from the University of Reading and the Peninsula Medical School in England suggests that blueberries reverse age-related memory loss, thanks to its abundance of antioxidants called flavonoids.

Blueberry: A Skin Reviver

Soften up with this scrub: Combine 2 cups brown sugar, 2 teaspoons pureed blueberries, and 3 tablespoons lemon juice. Blueberry's antioxidants soften the skin, lemon juice brightens, and sugar exfoliates.

Blueberries and Aging

Blueberries also act as an anti-aging superstar. In fact, in the book, "The Color Code", the blueberry is said to be "One of the best age-proofing foods in your diet". Blueberries are also a good source of vitamin K, which Tufts researchers suggest may play a role in preventing osteoporisis and hardening of the arteries.

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