The Benefits of Blueberry Nutrition
Blueberries have recently been hailed as a superfood for their health promoting properties. But is it possible that these humble fruits can really pack such a punch?
Like most fruits, blueberries are packed with health promoting compounds, not least among these being vitamin C, the most important water soluble antioxidant in the body. But vitamin C functions best in the presence of plant flavonoids (or bioflavonoids) which are themselves antioxidants and as such are important protectors against the damage to cells and tissues, which may be caused by the compounds known as free radicals.
So luckily, blueberries are also rich in flavonoids and the most important blueberry antioxidant, the flavonoid known as anthocyanidin, is thought to be responsible for most blueberry health benefits, particularly those which relate to the eyes.
Anthocyanidin is believed to be crucial for the maintenance of the body’s connective tissue, or collagen, on which depends the strength of the capillary walls, and is also vital for efficient blood circulation and effective use of vitamin C throughout the body. Anthocyanidin pigment is also an effective anti-bacterial agent, which is especially good for soothing digestive and intestinal disorders, but . . .
…it’s from anthocyanidin’s stimulating and strengthening effect on the circulation and tiny blood vessels of the eyes that most of the benefits of blueberry nutrition are derived.
The central area of the eye’s retina, the macula, is made up of countless light sensitive cells which are essential to good vision. These cells depend for their effective functioning on huge numbers of tiny capillaries which supply them with oxygenated blood and essential nutrients. Using the power of blueberry nutrition to ensure a good supply of anthocyanidin may therefore be a wise precaution because serious and even catastrophic loss of vision may occur if any weakening of the capillaries through disease or free radical activity leads to any leakage of blood into the retina itself.
These kind of eye problems are particularly common amongst sufferers from diabetes and as well as possibly helping prevent this condition – known as “diabetic retinopathy” there’s also evidence that blueberries may help reduce the high blood sugar which is the root cause of the problem.
Blueberry antioxidant effects within the eyes…
…are also believed by many practitioners to help prevent the cataracts and age related macular degeneration (AMD) which remain an all too common cause of progressive blindness in older people.
But it’s only fair to acknowledge that conventional opinion in the medical and opthalmic professions remains unconvinced of the benefits of blueberry nutrition, their attitude being sceptical if not downright hostile. But nutritional therapists, herbalist and many alternative health practitioners are nevertheless convinced of blueberry health benefits. And of course this attitude of most (but by no means all) opthalmic professionals is very much in keeping with the profession’s traditional hostility to those pioneers who have sought cures for visual disorders rather than being content to rely on mere artificial correction of symptoms (ie prescription lenses), and in its persistent rejection of the evidence which supports more natural methods of improving vision and eye health. 
But whatever your views about alternative therapies or diet supplements in general, the good news about blueberries is that they’re an entirely natural food stuff, consumed by humans since time immemorial, which can be easily and cheaply obtained, and which present no risk to health in any quantities conceivably likely to be ingested, even if taken in the form of a concentrated extract.
Click here for an inexpensive high-potency extract of blueberry and many other antioxidant fruits
Blueberry supplements are now easily available in good health stores, and are often found combined in mixed berry formulations along with extracts of red raspberry, strawberry, grape and even passion juice – all valuable sources of antioxidant flavonoids in their own right. For eye health in particular, blueberry is often combined with lutein and zeaxanthin, more antioxidants which evidence suggests may have powerful beneficial effects within the eyes, particularly in tackling AMD.
So if the claims made for blueberry nutrition are even partly true, then blueberries or blueberry supplements can be a potentially hugely valuable (and completely harmless) addition to your dietary regime.
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