Blueberry
This ingredient can be found in: Pop A Purple
Blueberries are the small purplish fruits of shrubs native to North America. They are considered functional foods (superfruits) due to their high nutrient value, antioxidant properties, and associated health benefits. Blueberry antioxidant effects come from anthocyanins and other pigments and phytochemicals.
The anthocyanins in blueberries have numerous health promoting properties. They reduce blood clotting, thus reducing the risk of stroke, pulmonary embolism, peripheral vascular disease, and heart attack. Their consumption stimulates higher levels of HDL (“good” cholesterol) while inhibiting the oxidation of LDL (“bad” cholesterol).
Blueberries also exert potent anti-inflammatory effects. Their high polyphenol levels can reduce the levels of enzymes responsible for producing the inflammatory reactions that cause pain and encourage chronic diseases. People who consume foods rich in polyphenols have significantly lower rates of inflammatory disease such as arthritis and cardiovascular disease. Because many anti-inflammatory drugs produce serious side effects, safer compounds are needed to prevent and treat these conditions. Blueberries are a safe and natural source of a polyphenols that target inflammation and disease in multiple ways.
Blueberries have been shown to prevent the DNA damage that can lead to cancer, possibly by increasing the body’s ability to repair DNA damage. This chemopreventive activity appears to be mediated by ellagic acid. In addition, other compounds in blueberries can prevent the growth of existing cancers by blocking angiogenesis (the process by which tumors form new blood vessels to obtain the nutrients to expand and become metastatic).
The antioxidants in blueberries may also be important to counteract the oxidative stress that occurs in aging. Blueberry consumption may therefore improve motor behavior and brain function and reduce the risk of diseases such as Alzheimer disease or Parkinsons disease. In fact, blueberry extract supplementation has been shown to significantly improve balance and coordination in an animal model of neurodegenerative disease.
References
- Aiyer HS, Vadhanam MV, Stoyanova R, Caprio GD, Clapper ML, Gupta RC. Dietary berries and ellagic Acid prevent oxidative DNA damage and modulate expression of DNA repair genes. Int J Mol Sci. 2008 Mar;9(3):327-41. Epub 2008 Mar 12. View Source
- Bagchi D, Sen CK, Bagchi M, Atalay M. Anti-angiogenic, antioxidant, and anti-carcinogenic properties of a novel anthocyanin-rich berry extract formula. Biochemistry (Mosc). 2004 Jan;69(1):75-80, View Source
- Dr. Duke's Phytochemical and Ethnobotanical Databases. [Online Database] 10 May 2009. View Source and View Source
- Joseph JA, Shukitt-Hale B, Casadesus G. Reversing the deleterious effects of aging on neuronal communication and behavior: beneficial properties of fruit polyphenolic compounds. Am J Clin Nutr. 2005 Jan;81(1 Suppl):313S-316S. View Source
- Lau F, Bielinski D, Joseph J. Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging. Inhibitory effects of Blueberry Extract on the Production of Inflammatory Mediators in LPS-activated BV2 Microglia. View Source
- Paul M. Gross. Natural and Nutritional Products Center. Scientists Zero In on Health Benefits of Berry Pigments. View Source
- Yoon JH, Baek SJ. Molecular targets of dietary polyphenols with anti-inflammatory properties. Yonsei Med J. 2005 Oct 31;46(5):585-96. View Source




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