If you haven’t noticed, tis the season for blueberries in California! Blueberries are both delicious and nutritious. I’m sure you heard the term super food… which is any food packed full of health benefits. Blueberries are rank high as a super food. While blueberries are sweet, they are also low in sugar making them low on the glycemic index. This means they will not cause blood sugar levels to spike. They are full of fiber which improves digestion and aids in weight loss if you are trying to shed some pounds. They are also incredibly rich in vitamins, minerals and have powerful antioxidant properties.
It is blueberries strong antioxidant property that help them to reduce the risk of DNA damage and improve the chances of avoiding many chronic diseases that can shorten life. New studies show that eating blueberries can actually prevent some DNA damage from occurring in the first place. This means that our chances of developing life-shortening diseases are also reduced.
DNA is our genetic material that is contained in every cell of our body. Many things can damage our DNA such as exposure to toxins, illnesses, and even the aging process itself. Our bodies are usually great at repairing our DNA but as we age, that becomes more of a challenge. DNA that is damaged or malfunctioning can lead to problems/diseases that greatly shorten life expectancy. Blueberries have so many health benefits that they may even promote a longer life span.
Blueberry plants are hardy plants. They have evolved to be able to adapt to different environmental stresses like drought, high or low temperatures and other things that can threaten them. When we eat blueberries, we can take advantage of some of their beneficial compounds. Ultimately blueberries do not just aid in a longer life but more importantly, what we are all looking for, an increase in the quality of life.
Dr. Tina Paul, BCND, Traditional Naturopath, Vibrant Living Wellness Center, 144 W. Sierra Madre Blvd., Sierra Madre, (626) 470-7711 or visit www.vibrantlivingwc.com.