Superfood: Blueberries

Looking for a new, small way to improve your diet? Do you want to start to include foods that pack a giant punch (in a small package) when it comes to health benefits? I bring you: Blueberries. With flavors that range from mildly sweet to tart and tangy, blueberries are nutritional powerhouses with a ton of nutrition and flavor while being very low in calories. Blueberries are at their best from May through October when they are in season.

Let’s look at just a few amazing secrets about these tiny fruits. Scientists at the U.S. Department of Agriculture Human Nutrition Center have found that blueberries rank No. 1 in antioxidant benefits, compared to 40 other fresh fruits and vegetables. The total antioxidant capacity of blueberries is twice that of spinach and three times that of oranges. Several studies have also shown blueberries may be effective in lowering cholesterol!

The secret is in the antioxidant anthocyanidins, the antioxidant compounds that give blue, purple and red colors to fruits and vegetables. They neutralize 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.

So grab a handful - put them in your breakfast shake or bake them in your holiday bread. You’ll give yourself a giant antioxidant boost - in a delicious way!

Rachel Newby, contributing author and Train With Corey trainer/yoga instructor

Sources:
http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=8
http://health.learninginfo.org/blueberry.htm

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For more information: www.trainwithcorey.com. The fitness tips provided on this site are for informational purposes only. Check with your doctor before starting any exercise routine.