Berries!

Reds, purples, pinks, yellows, dark blues, magentas….all lusciously juicy, delicious and nutritious.   It’s berry time of year again.  Raspberries, cranberries, strawberries, loganberries, elderberries, blueberries, blackberries and bilberries!  Here is come berry information for you…

-    Bilberries encourage good eye health.  RAF pilots in World War II noticed that after eating bilberry jam their vision improved for the night-time bombing raids.  Air traffic controllers, airplane pilots and truck drivers have also reported improved night vision when taking bilberry extract.
-    Blackberries came first in berry research for reducing bad cholesterol (LDL).  Raspberries, cherries, blueberries, and strawberries followed close behind.
-    Blueberries had the highest antioxidant phytonutrient content of 40 tested fruit and vegetables.  This makes it a real super food, by helping to prevent cancer, aging, heart problems, cataracts and to improve the immune system.
-    Cranberries are the wonder berries for treating urinary tract infections.  They prevent the bacteria E-Coli (a common bacteria in urinary tract infections), from sticking to the lining of the bladder wall, thereby preventing an infection like cystitis.
-    Hippocrates referred to the medicinal properties of elderberries in his medicine chest in 400BC.  They are particularly beneficial for fighting off viruses.
-    Raspberries contain ellagic acid, a compound that helps prevent cancer of the oesophagus (the food pipe from the mouth to the stomach), and helps keep pre-cancerous growths from becoming malignant.
-    Strawberries contain more vitamin C that any other berry.  Eight medium strawberries will provide 96mg – more vitamin C than one medium sized orange…or if you read my last article…160% of the RDA for vitamin C!

Berr-you-go!