Get Smarter By NoonLooking for that magic "smart pill" to get you through your day?? Well, look no further! Stir some blueberries into your breakfast cereal, low-fat yogurt, or morning smoothie, and do not be surprised if you get a genius idea for work or whip through your inbox faster than Hollywood gossip can spread. That is because people who eat a lot of fruit and have a high intake of flavonoids perform better on tests of verbal fluency, logical reasoning, and visual memory -- three skills that translate into doing your job better, faster, and smarter.
Flavonoids are antioxidants that are packed into fruit, and they are widely thought to fight disease and mental decline. They are in plenty of different fruits, but blueberries are little superheroes when it comes to antioxidant power and your brain. The compounds in this tiny fruit may help protect you from two processes linked to brain-cell aging: inflammation and oxidation (both are also linked to Alzheimer’s). Back up blueberries with this breakfast chaser: an omega-3 supplement -- either 2 grams of fish oil or 600 milligrams of DHA. You’ll likely gain even more smarts.
Flavonoids are antioxidants that are packed into fruit, and they are widely thought to fight disease and mental decline. They are in plenty of different fruits, but blueberries are little superheroes when it comes to antioxidant power and your brain. The compounds in this tiny fruit may help protect you from two processes linked to brain-cell aging: inflammation and oxidation (both are also linked to Alzheimer’s). Back up blueberries with this breakfast chaser: an omega-3 supplement -- either 2 grams of fish oil or 600 milligrams of DHA. You’ll likely gain even more smarts.
Blueberries are ranked No. 1 in antioxidant activity compared with 40 other commercially available fruits and vegetables. That means a serving of blueberries has more of the antioxidant power you need to fight aging, cancer and heart disease.
1 cup (143 grams) of blueberries is 84 calories (technically, kcal). Blueberries contain no cholesterol or fat and are also low in calories. Blueberries are high in dietary fiber, Vitamin A and niacin. They contain iron and other trace minerals and are a source of Vitamin C.
Blueberries have a diverse range of micronutrients, with notably high levels (relative to respective Dietary Reference Intakes) of the essential dietary mineral manganese, vitamin B6, vitamin C, vitamin K and dietary fiber (table below). One serving provides a relatively low glycemic load score of 4 out of 100 per day.
Blueberries contain anthocyanins, other antioxidant pigments and various phytochemicals possibly having a role in reducing risks of some diseases, including inflammation and different cancers.
Blueberries may have anti-disease effects, too. Researchers have shown that blueberry anthocyanins, proanthocyanidins, resveratrol, flavonols, and tannins inhibit mechanisms of cancer cell development and inflammation in vitro.
Similar to red grape, some blueberry species contain in their skins significant levels of resveratrol, a phytochemical with increasing evidence as an anti-cancer compound.
1 cup (143 grams) of blueberries is 84 calories (technically, kcal). Blueberries contain no cholesterol or fat and are also low in calories. Blueberries are high in dietary fiber, Vitamin A and niacin. They contain iron and other trace minerals and are a source of Vitamin C.
Blueberries have a diverse range of micronutrients, with notably high levels (relative to respective Dietary Reference Intakes) of the essential dietary mineral manganese, vitamin B6, vitamin C, vitamin K and dietary fiber (table below). One serving provides a relatively low glycemic load score of 4 out of 100 per day.
Blueberries contain anthocyanins, other antioxidant pigments and various phytochemicals possibly having a role in reducing risks of some diseases, including inflammation and different cancers.
Blueberries may have anti-disease effects, too. Researchers have shown that blueberry anthocyanins, proanthocyanidins, resveratrol, flavonols, and tannins inhibit mechanisms of cancer cell development and inflammation in vitro.
Similar to red grape, some blueberry species contain in their skins significant levels of resveratrol, a phytochemical with increasing evidence as an anti-cancer compound.
*All that... AND it is PEAK SEASON for blueberries... so go out and get your farm fresh blueberries! If you are here in Rhode Island, head over to Macomber's Blueberry Farm for some of the tastiest and freshest blueberries around! You can enjoy a relaxing day picking your own... or buy them freshly picked. I was just there yesterday... and WOW!! Blueberries as far as the eye could see... and super tasty, too! Visit their website for more information. *
:: Information in this post is from RealAge.com and Macombers Blueberry Farm.
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Julie,
ReplyDeleteThis is very cool information on Blueberries. Our doctors on our Advisory board always recommends berries mixed with our Formula 1 Shakes.
I hope you will continue to educate and post more information. This will really supplement our shakes and many ways of making them.
Mahalo (thank you),
Kellie :)
Thanks for the post, Julie. I do hear alot about blueberries and your post give us all of the details. Blueberries "smart pill"...just love it!! My youngest daughter, Shelby and I really enjoy blending blueberries w/Herbalife F1 Vanilla shake..simply INCREDIBLE!!
ReplyDeleteNothing better than a blueberry smoothie made with Macomber's Blueberries and Herbalife Formula 1 Nutritional Shake Mix!! WOW! Talk about a SUPERFOOD SMOOTHIE!!
ReplyDelete