Blueberries
Juicy Trivia
Did you know that the vivid purple/blue pigment found in blueberry skins is provided by a group of chemicals called anthocyanidins? And its this pigment that gives them their marvelous health properties, so if you find a blueberry in any other colour, then the chances are its a fake and really not worth eating!
Jason Says...
These are one of my favourite berries and are one of the most antioxidant rich berries you can buy. They are great for adding to a breakfast smoothie with muesli, banana and bio-live yoghurt or even for just snacking on (perfect for when you get a little 'sweet' craving). Don't be fooled by their petite proportion as they have gigantic health benefits, especially for the immune system.
Juice or Smoothie?
Smoothie: Unless of course you have just won the Lottery, as you will need a lot of these little berries to yield a decent amount of Juice.
Juicy Tip: You can use fresh or frozen blueberries. If you go for frozen, then simply put them straight from the freezer into your blender along with whatever other ingredients you decide to use and by doing so, you don't need to add ice!
Juicy Benefits
Like most dark berries blueberries contain a high concentration of bioflavonoids and anthocyanidins otherwise known as antioxidants. These help protect blood vessels from oxidative damage, caused by normal metabolic processes, as well as chemical damage from things such as cigarette smoke and alcohol. This type of damage is associated to almost every disease from normal ageing through to cancer and heart disease. This is why a diet full of antioxidants is associated with a reduction in many serious diseases.
The high concentration of antioxidant found in blueberries may also strengthen the bodies connective tissue which lose strength when we age. So if you want to reduce the signs of ageing then it is highly recommended that you get a regular dose of dark berries in your system.
Blueberries, like blackcurrants are antibacterial and are really helpful for combating diarrhea caused by foreign bacteria as they can neutralise it.
Blueberries and other berries contain an abundance of anthocyanidins, which belong to the same family as isoflavonoids and bioflavonoids. These amazing phyto-medicines protect our eyes against cell degeneration by improving the integrity of the capillaries that supply blood to the retina.
Research
Polyphenols from blueberries have been shown to be effective in the fight against arterial hardening or atherosclerosis. Researchers writing in the Journal of Nutrition found that regular blueberry consumption can help prevent harmful plaques and lesions from increas-ing in size in coronary arteries. A diet containing blueberries for 20 weeks was shown to reduce arterial plaque lesions from 39 to 58 percent, dramatically lowering risk for a deadly heart attack.
In an early study that has paved the way to follow-up experiments, Rosalia C. M. Simmen of the Arkansas Children's Nutrition Center (ACNC) in Little Rock, Ark., has determined that several indicators of rat mammary gland health were improved in the offspring (pups) of mothers (dams) that had been fed 5 percent blueberry powder in their rations during pregnancy and during the weeks that they nursed their pups.
Vitamins, Minerals and Extras
Vitamins B1, B2, B6, C, Beta-Carotene and Folic Acid.
Calcium, Iron, Magnesium, Manganese, Phosphorus, Potassium, Sodium and Zinc.
Ellagic Acid.
References
Pinnock, Dale, 2011, Medical Cookery, Right Way, London.
Jensen, Bernard.Dr, 2000, Juicing Therapy, Keats Publishing, Illinois.
Meyerowitz, Steve, 2000, Power Juices Super Drinks, Kensington Books, New York.
www.enwikipedia.org
www.juicebenefits.net
www.healthalternatives2000.com
www.sciencedaily.com
www.foodproductdesign.com
Disclaimer
Please be aware that we are not Doctors, so it is important BEFORE making any changes that you consult with your GP or Medical Practitioner. The suggestions above are not meant as an alternative to any current medical treatment so please DO NOT stop taking any medications you are on. They are also not an endorsement of their effectiveness, nor a recommendation that they should be followed but instead, provided for informational purposes. None of the information on the Natural Juice Therapy site is intended or implied to treat, cure or prevent any condition or disease.