NEWS: Eat Your Berries For Health Benefits
| Medical research continues to reveal that berries, which are high in antioxidants, may have profound impact on combating disease, increasing the quality of life and providing nutrition beyond basic sustenance.
Studies reveal that berries have a significant impact against the diseases of aging, including cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes and age-related mental decline. Aside from delicious flavor and few calories, there’s now another reason to eat more berries. According to an article in the February issue of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, eating just one cup of strawberries or blueberries each week can reduce your risk of developing high blood pressure—a major risk factor for heart disease and stroke. Both contain a large amount of anthocyanin, a group of red-blue plant pigments in the flavonoid family, and a powerful antioxidant. It may also help open blood vessels, which allows for smoother blood flow and lower risk for high blood pressure. |
Berries and yogurt are a delicious and |
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| In a study of men and women that included a 14-year follow-up period, participants who consumed the highest amounts of anthocyanin from blueberries and strawberries had an 8% reduction in their risk for developing high blood pressure, compared to study participants who ate the least amount of these anthocyanin-rich berries.
While blackberries and raspberries were not part of this particular study, you can consider them similarly rich in anthocyanin. The biennial Berry Health Benefits Symposium in June will reveal even more research. So pick up some berries today, with this caveat: fresh berries don’t have a long shelf life. Consume them within three days, then buy more. Or stock up on frozen berries, and sweeten them as needed with your favorite non-caloric sweetener or agave nectar.
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