Gross out? (You can do it: activities & oddities).Smashing your face in a blueberry blueberry, plant of the large genus Vaccinium, widely distributed shrubs (occasionally small trees) of the family Ericaceae (heath family), usually found on acid soil. They are often confused with the related huckleberry. pie to win a pie-eating contest might turn your stomach, but blueberries are worth devouring because they're good for you. The fruit, produced in 35 states in the U.S., is a great source of vitamin C vitamin C or ascorbic acid Water-soluble organic compound important in animal metabolism. Most animals produce it in their bodies, but humans, other primates, and guinea pigs need it in the diet to prevent scurvy. and fiber, a plant part that aids the digestive process. The berries are also low in fat, cholesterol (a waxy waxy (wak´se) 1. composed of or covered by wax. 2. resembling wax, especially denoting some combination of pliability, paleness, and smoothness and luster. , artery-clogging molecule), and sodium. When scientists from Tufts University in Boston and the U.S. Department of Agriculture compared blueberries with 60 common fruits and vegetables, they found that blueberries--fresh, frozen, canned, or even dried--rank highest in antioxidants Antioxidants Substances that reduce the damage of the highly reactive free radicals that are the byproducts of the cells. Mentioned in: Aging, Nutritional Supplements antioxidants, n. . Antioxidants are natural substances found in fruits and vegetables that help neutralize free radicals--unstable oxygen molecules that attack healthy body cells and have been linked to cancer, aging, and heart disease. Free radicals occur naturally in the body but smoking, smog, and foods high in fats and refined sugar increase their amount. "One-half cup of blueberries delivers as much antioxidant antioxidant, substance that prevents or slows the breakdown of another substance by oxygen. Synthetic and natural antioxidants are used to slow the deterioration of gasoline and rubber, and such antioxidants as vitamin C (ascorbic acid), butylated hydroxytoluene power as five servings of other fruits and vegetables--such as peas, carrots, apples, squash, and broccoli," says Ronald Prior, who headed the study. Tufts/USDA researchers also found that blueberries may aid brainpower brain·pow·er n. 1. Intellectual capacity. 2. People of well-developed mental abilities: a country that doesn't value its brainpower. Noun 1. . They fed blueberry extract to 19-month-old rats--the equivalent of 65-to-70-year-old humans--every day for eight weeks. Results revealed a marked improvement in the aging rodents' short-term memory, balance, and coordination. So, dive into these little blue powerhouses. But don't forget your fork and napkin. |
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