The blueberries They are one of the most fashionable in recent years.
They are born in a cluster and at first they are white, but as time passes they turn reddish-purple. And their popularity is due to their versatility, since their sweet flavor allows them to be used in pastries, jams…
However, new research has once again put the spotlight on blueberries for their neuroprotective power.
This could help prevent neurodegenerative diseases such as , which currently affects some 800,000 people in our country and which is the pathology that generates the greatest disability among the elderly in Spain.
Blueberries: vitamin C and much more
Blueberries, of which there are more than 30 varieties, are a bushy-looking fruit.
They are native to the United States, and the most common and most commercialized species is found there: the low blueberry. In fact, USAalong with Canada, are the countries with the highest production in the world, with 223 million kilos.
Blueberries are rich in:
-
Antioxidants
-
polyphenols
-
Vitamin C
-
vitamin K
-
Vitamin A
-
Calcium
-
Iron
-
Fiber.
For patients with rheumatic diseases
A single handful of blueberries contains 14 milligrams of vitamin Cwhich represents 25% of daily needs.
But, it stands out, above all, for its low caloric content. About 100 grams provide 42 calories, as explained by the (FEN).
-
Fat (total lipids): 0.6 g
-
Protein: 0.625g
-
Water: 87.8g
-
Total dietary fiber: 4.9 g
-
Carbohydrates: 6.05g
-
Vitamin C 9.7mg
-
Calcium 6mg
-
Iron 0.3mg
-
Vitamin B6 0.1mg
-
Magnesium 6mg
Until now, numerous studies have shown that blueberries are one of the fruits with the highest amount of antioxidants, specifically proanthocyanidins, which have anti-inflammatory properties.
Hence it is a staple food for patients with rheumatic diseasessince it decreases the inflammation that damages the joint tissues.
“Improves vascular health and cognitive ability”
Research from the (UK) has shown that taking this fruit in people between the ages of 50 and 80 could help improve memory and brain function.
To reach this conclusion, they studied participants who consumed about 100 grams of this product for three months.
The principal investigator, the Dr. David Vauzourfrom Norwich Medical School, explains that “dementia is expected to affect around 152 million people by 2050.”
And since there is no known cure:
-
“It is crucial that we look for modifiable lifestyle interventions, such as diet, that can help decrease the risk and burden of disease.”
Of the 60 volunteers, 30 of them consumed freeze-dried blueberry powder, and the other half, placebo.
And the results have been more than surprising, since it has been proven that eating blueberries significantly improves visual episodic memory, which is responsible for allowing us to remember significant events in life.
As the specialist highlights:
-
“Participants who consumed the blueberry powder showed better episodic memory performance and better circulation of essential nutrients like oxygen and glucose to important parts of the brain that support cognition.”
And it is that, in addition to improving memory, blueberries have also been shown to “decrease levels of LDL cholesterol, known as ‘bad’ cholesterol, which supports the idea that they can improve vascular health and cognitive capacity”.
-
“The findings of this study are very encouraging, especially considering that a very short 12-week cranberry intervention was able to produce significant improvements in memory and neural function.”