Anthocyanins are the natural pigments that give blueberries their lovely blue-purple color. Anthocyanins function as antioxidants in the body and make the blueberry one of the best treatments against aging and age-related changes. Blueberries lower the incidence of cancer, cardiovascular disease and other health problems.
Calories
One cup of blueberries has just 84 calories and has 3.6 grams of fiber, and provides 47 mcgs of beta-carotene, vitamin C, vitamin K, vitamin E, manganese and other nutrients.
Anthocyanins
The word anthocyanin is a Greek word meaning plant (antho) and blue (cyanin).
Antioxidants
Numerous research centers on nutrition found blueberries to be one of the richest sources of antioxidants. Antioxidants help prevent cancer, cardiovascular disease, and other age-related diseases such as glaucoma, varicose veins and ulcers.
Wine
Blueberries contain 38 percent more anthocyanins than red wine.
Urinary Tract Infections
The proanthocyanidins in blueberries help prevent urinary tract infections.
Alzheimer's-like Symptoms
Antioxidant-rich blueberries reduced the effects of Alzheimer's-like symptoms in rats and improved memory function and motor skills.
Cancer
Other chemicals in blueberries and other berry fruit decrease the growth of cervical and breast cancer cells. Blueberries also contain the anti-cancer agent resveratrol.
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