“Blueberries neutralise free radical damage to the ……….”

Today’s food of the A-Z of Everyday Foods is the nutrient-packed BLUEBERRY. Blueberries are a great natural source of nutrients and contain Vitamins C and E, Fibre and Manganese and are low in calories.  The flavour of the blueberry can vary from somewhat tangy to mildly sweet depending on the variety.

Blueberries grow on a shrub and belong to the heath family; relatives of which are the cranberry and bilberry.  They are also related to the azalea and rhododendron.  The blueberry is native to North and South America and grew throughout the woods and in mountainous regions in US and Canada.  They played a role in the diet of the The Native American Indians in which blueberries were an ingredient in ‘pemmican’, a traditional dish composed of the fruit and dried meat.

They weren’t cultivated until the beginning of the 20th century and were commercially available in 1916.  They were introduced to Australia in the 1970’s and are mainly grown on the New South Wales North Coast, in Victoria (Yarra Valley) and in Tasmania.  The season begins in December and ends in April.

The benefits of including Blueberries in your diet are:

• Helps to protect the Brain from Oxidative Stress, which can reduce the effects of age related conditions such as Alzheimer’s and Dementia.
• Helps deter Urinary Tract Infections
• Promotes Weight Control
• Improves Vision
• Blueberries can help relieve both diarrhoea and constipation as blueberries contain both soluble and insoluble fibre, as well as tannins, which are known to act as astringents in the digestive system and help to reduce inflammation.
• Promotes Gastrointestinal Health
• Packed with antioxidant phytonutrients called anthocyanidins, blueberries neutralise free radical damage to the collagen matrix of cells and tissues that can lead to cataracts, glaucoma, varicose veins, hemorrhoids, peptic ulcers, heart disease and cancer.

Enjoy BLUEBERRIES this season for better health.  They are great in smoothies, added to your oats in the morning and are great in gluten free muffins.

Yours in health,

Dedicated to Improving Your Wellbeing and Committed To Helping You Achieve Abundance

From the Team at the Hervey Bay Wellbeing, Anti-Aging and Longevity Centre

Yours in health,