Blueberries

Antioxidant powerhouse

Native to North America, blueberries grow on shrubs and belong to the heath family, making them close cousins to cranberry and bilberry.

They grow in clusters, are very deep in color ranging from dark blue to purple-black and can grow from a pea size to the size of a marble.

Their picking season starts in the late spring and extends throughout the summer, depending on the geographical location.

Nutrients in Blueberries:

• Vitamin C

• Manganese

• Vitamin E

• Vitamin K

• Antioxidants

Why they are important in Great Legs Diet:

They are are packed with antioxidant phytonutrients named anthocyanin .

Anthocyanin are the dark blue pigments in the blueberries. They neutralize the free radical damage done to the cells and tissues that lead to premature ageing, varicose veins, stretch marks and cellulite.

They improve the entire vascular system reducing the incidence of varicose and spider veins.

They are also very low in sugar and therefore calories.

Other Health Benefits:

• Improve short term memory loss

• Reduce cancer risk

• Reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease

• Guard against cataract and glaucoma

• Reverse ageing process

Alternatives

Blueberries are best consumed fresh, but when out of season they can be purchased frozen or dried.

To freeze your own, make sure you wash and drain them first as well as remove any that appear to be damaged. Freeze them on a cookie sheet, then put them in a freezer bag. They will store frozen for about a year.

I hope this page provided you with the information you were looking for. If you have any questions, comments or suggestions, please contact me.

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