Blueberries

With flavors that range from mildly sweet to tart and tangy,
blueberries are nutritional All Stars bursting with nutrition and
flavor while being very low in calories.. Recently, researchers at
Tufts University analyzed 60 fruits and vegetables for their
antioxidant capability. Blueberries came out on top, rating highest
in their capacity to destroy free radicals. Packed with antioxidant
phytonutrients called anthocyanidins, blueberries 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. Anthocyanins, the blue‐red
pigments found in blueberries, improve the integrity of support
structures in the veins and entire vascular system. Anthocyanins
have been shown to enhance the effects of vitamin C, improve
capillary integrity, and stabilize the collagen matrix (the ground
substance of all body tissues). They work their protective magic by
preventing free‐radical damage, inhibiting enzymes from cleaving
the collagen matrix, and directly cross‐linking with collagen fibers
to form a more stable collagen matrix. Visionary Fruit Extracts of
bilberry (a variety of blueberry) have been shown in numerous
studies to improve nighttime visual acuity and promote quicker
adjustment to darkness and faster restoration of visual acuity after
exposure to glare. Better Brain with Blueberries In animal studies,
researchers have found that blueberries help protect the brain from
oxidative stress and may reduce the effects of age‐related
conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease or dementia.