by Veronica Shine

Created on: March 19, 2009   Last Updated: June 29, 2009

The true "Thrill from Blueberry Hill" can be located in the farmers' market, your local grocery store and everywhere you shop for fresh fruits. It is nearing that time again and gratefully so from May to October; blueberry season is arriving.

America has been taken by storm with this super food with the incredible health properties that were introduced during the past several years and there is no stopping the momentum.

One of the best known sources for antioxidants can be found in blueberries. There are a few side effects though. They are said to help you feel better, have more energy and look better.

In general, antioxidants are responsible in part as an anti-aging treatment. Helping to fight free radicals, the cell damage to the skin becomes minimal. With free radicals, they become unstable substances even more so as we age. They are known to damage human cells and deteriorate our immunity quickly. Blueberries may counteract this process.

Many scientists can attest to the discoveries made with use of blueberries towards slowing down cancer cells as well as the aging process.

The antioxidants are contained in Anthocyanins; a Greek word meaning plant and blue, which is what gives the blue hue to the fruit. An exciting part of Anthocyanins is their possible brain booster capacity. Neuro-scientists found that feeding lab rats blueberries, it helped slow down the age-related loss in their mental capacity.

These researches are continuing to find if right foods, such as blueberries, can actually change the course of our biochemistry and recent results point towards success.

For five ounces of blueberries, you will find that they contain the following:

100 Calories
1 gram of fat
0 Cholesterol
0 Sodium
0 Saturated Fat
3 grams of Fiber
27 grams of Carbohydrates
1 gram of Protein
11 grams of sugar
15% Vitamin C
2 % Iron

According to chemical studies performed by the Agriculture Research Service (ARS), an off shoot from the United States Dept. of Agriculture, their research has revealed that the following may be possible.

1) Blueberries contain chemicals that decrease the growth of cervical and breast cancer cells by a considerable percentage.

2) Blueberries contain resveratrol, another agent that is said to be potent as an anti-cancer enhancer

3) Blueberries help slow down the aging process. More is being looked into as to whether it can actually reverse the process.

4) Blueberries seem to help alleviate short term memory loss while improving balance and coordination. In the geriatric field, its use is being experimented to possibly forestall Alzheimer's disease and promote easier assistance to the aged.

Research is continuing to confirm additional health benefits. The ARS conclusion is blueberries added to your diet have enormous health advantages with many more to be discovered. By adding more blueberries to your diet is certainly is a must to consider. The recommended amount is just one or two handfuls a day. Just one large handful provides as many antioxidants as five servings of apples, broccoli, carrots, or squash. Although blueberries have a short season, look out for them whenever in season and buy them whenever you can. It can make a essential improvement in your wellbeing.

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