Hello again. Thanks for joining me for this week’s blog. Suddenly we are looking at the summer of 2021 in the rearview mirror. At least we are out of lockdown which is in sharp contrast to last year at this time. Time is fleeting. My advice is, don’t be sad or blue because blue is actually good for you!
WHAAAT?
What do I mean blue is good for you? Stay with me. This blog idea may seem a bit random, but I had to tie the idea of “blue” into subject matter for this week’s blog which is blueberries. I was perusing an article about blueberries and their health benefits, so I thought I’d share.
BLUEBERRIES
I read that a cup of blueberries a day can protect against several of the most degenerative diseases known to man. Which ones? Glad you asked. New research has shown that these innocuous little gems can have an amazingly positive impact on your health.
BLOOD PRESSURE
The Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics discovered that eating blueberries can improve blood pressure. Sarah A. Johnson one of the scientists in this study said, “Our findings suggest that regular consumption of blueberries could potentially delay the progression of prehypertension to hypertension, therefore reducing cardiovascular disease risk.”
REMEMBER THIS
Althealthworks.com suggests that 12 weeks of wild blueberry juice consumption has improved memory and reduced symptoms of depression, showed a 2011 study by Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry. They go on to say that improved memory function is likely a result of anthocyanins, a polyphenolic compound in blueberries, which is connected to decreased neurodegeneration.
JUST A CUP
A cup of blueberries a day may help prevent brain cell degeneration. The different vitamins, compounds, anthocyanins and flavanols in blueberries can help protect against neurological disorders such as Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease.
MORE STUDIES
I read that hundreds of studies have been done on the effect of blueberries on bone health, brain function, cognitive health, mood, memory, diabetes, cancer prevention, liver and urinary tract health, blood vessel health and age-related macular degeneration as well as numerous other conditions.
DIRTY DOZEN
If humanly possible, it is best to get organic blueberries because along with strawberries, spinach, peaches, apples, grapes, cherries and assorted other greens, they get honorable mention on the “Dirty Dozen” list of foods with the most pesticide residues.
TAKEAWAY
My takeaway from this research is that maybe blueberries will promote better health because of all I have read, and it certainly doesn’t sound like they will hurt you! Whether it is in the form or blueberry powder, extract or good old-fashioned fresh, it seems like these little gems have health benefits!
HDD
Keeping your internal workings in healthy condition is important to all of us. If there is a question and you and your provider need to see what your internal components look like, call High Desert Doppler at 505-350-3397 for a quick, painless, noninvasive ultrasound exam.