Blueberries May Keep You Young

Nabeil Sarhan, Body1 Staff. 10/20/99 -- Looking for the fountain of youth? Try your nearest blueberry patch. A recent study in the Journal of Neuroscience (September 1999) found that eating blueberries can reverse some effects of aging.

Blueberries contain high levels of antioxidants, which are thought to be effective in the fight against cancer and heart disease. Now scientists believe that blueberries can help restore balance and coordination as well.

Scientists at Tufts University fed elderly rats an antioxidant-rich diet of strawberries, spinach, or blueberries. While all three foods were shown to help short-term memory, only the blueberry diet improved the rats' motor skills. Researchers believe the advantage of blueberries may lie in the flavonoids that give the berries their deep blue color. Flavonoids may also protect against cancer by inhibiting enzymes that promote the disease.

These and other studies suggest that eating half a cup of blueberries per day can help reverse the effects of aging in humans. Easy ways to incorporate blueberries into your diet include mixing them in your cereal, tossing them on a green salad, or topping them on a serving of low-fat ice cream.

For more information, check out The North American Blueberry Council. And the next time you're stocking up on your greens, make sure to include some blues as well.

Last updated: 20-Oct-99