Studies support the huge antioxidant potential of blueberries

Study after study have measured the strong antioxidant potential of wild and cultivated blueberries. The latest scientific “in vivo“, that is, human studies, suggest that blueberries have “high antioxidant potential” even after a typical high carb, low fat breakfast. It is suggested that for best result, you should eat a variety of foods high in antioxidant potential.

ORAC Values no longer considered relevant
Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity was once an official measurement of a antioxidant potential. This list is now considered “biologically irrelevant” by the United States Department of Agriculture. Science is still debating how much of what does what good. In 2012, the USDA stopped publishing the ORAC values. Search “ORAC Values” in you preferred engine for more information. ORAC values are based on in-vitro studies, that is “test tube” environments.

What the heck are antioxidants anyway?
Antioxidants are molecules that interfere with the oxidation of other molecules. That is still pretty much a mouthful of dry paper. Oxidation reactions are important to life, but insufficient or inhibited levels of antioxidants can cause “oxidative stress”, which appears to play an important part in many human diseases. Oxidative stress is also a cause and result of disease. In other words, oxidative stress can play a part in disease and then be a result of disease.

Diseases thought to be associated with oxidative stress
According to Wikipedia, oxidative stress is thought to be involved in the development of cancer, heart failure, autism, Sickle Cell Disease, Parkinson’s disease, and atherosclerosis among others. Brain diseases appear to be related to oxidative stress. Oxidative stress is also being studied to see how the process negatively impacts DNA.

A possible tasty defense.
Eat well and among those good foods, let there be large quantities of blueberries. With a little effort you can enjoy blueberries, especially those from North Carolina, all year long.  If you eat blueberries now, eat more. Buy them now, they are a great value and with a little creativity, can go a long way. What you don’t eat, freeze or dry and store!

All studies about blueberries agree on three things. Blueberries are versatile, tasty and densely packed with nutritive value.

A half cup of blueberries a day may keep the doctor away!