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Health Benefits of BerriesA berry beneficial food Blueberries are the latest healthy food phenomenon[1]. Recently there has been buzz about Acai[2]. Before that it was red grapes and wine[3]. Scientists now know that all berries provide benefits, which indicates that we should eat a variety of berries rather than just the fruit of the month. The compounds that give berries their red, violet, purple and blue colors have potential anti-cancer and heart disease properties including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and cell regulatory effects.[4]. The actual compounds include: Anthocyanins, Catechins, Resveratrol, Tannins and Flavonoids, Polyphenola, Quercetin, Dietary Fiber, Ellagic Acid, ORAC (Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity), Phytochemicals, Rutin, Salicylic Acid and good old Vitamin C[5]. Specific benefits include:
It's important to note that no one berry offers every benefit. That's a good reminder that the FDA recommendation of 5 or more servings or fruits and vegetables is a good one. Other fruits like apples and citrus also provide complementary benefits. And fruits aren't the only source of some of these beneficial compounds. Other anti-oxidant rich foods include: chocolate, tea, and red wine, which also have been linked to lower heart disease risk. References
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