http://www.suffolkblues.co.uk/health.html

Scientists have discovered many health benefits from eating blueberries. They are one of the richest sources of antioxidants of the fruits and vegetables that have been studied. Antioxidants are responsible in part for keeping us healthily and young. They help fight cell damaging "free radicals". Free radicals are unstable substances that our bodies produce as we get older. They damage human cells and our DNA. US scientists have shown that the antioxidants contained in Blueberries help to slow th ageing process and reduce the risk of cancer.

The antioxidants are contained in "Anthocyanins" (Greek word meaning "plant" and "blue") these are the reason why Blueberries are Blue ! They are responsible for the Blue colour of the fruit. Strawberries and Spinach also contain high levels of antioxidants.

Chemical studies in the US by the Agricultural Research Service have very recently revealed that Blueberries (as well as strawberries and raspberries) contain chemicals that decreased the growth of cervical and breast cancer cells by a considerable percentage.

Blueberries have also found to contain resveratrol, another potential anti-cancer agent.

Blueberries have also shown to not only halt the ageing process but actually reverse it ! Experiments have also indicated that eating Blueberries improves short term memory loss and improves balance and co-ordination.

And they taste nice too!

Awesome. So blueberries are the holy grail?

So blueberries grow in Scotland (Rosslyn Chapel)?

I just wish they sold dried blueberries without added sugar. When I looked at the label of the bag I was surprised to see a list of ingredients. You would think the only ingredient would be blueberries and maybe possibly a preservative. But after blueberries the next ingredient is corn syrup and usually sugar too. Corn syrup is just sugar, fructose which is not healthful. I looked at several brands and they all did the same. So it's either fresh or nothing.

Maybe its because blueberries taste like...

They taste great to me fresh. I can't see the need for added corn syrup. I hear it makes them more chewy when dry but sugar is crap.

Why would you say sugar is crap? I think you mean sucrose, but even so, why is this crap? You might as well say that fat is crap. And we eat far more protein than we actually need, so...

It's a pity that water has no nutritional value or taste. Cos that makes it crap too!

And the air we breath?

I think blueberries taste good au naturel or mit Zucker.

http://www.naturodoc.com/library/nutrition/sugar.htm

49 Ways Sugar Can Ruin Your Health

By Nancy Appleton

Nancy Appleton, Ph.D., is a nutritional consultant, researcher, lecturer, and author of Lick the Sugar Habit, Healthy Bones, and Balanced Body Secret.

1.

Sugar can suppress the immune system.
2.

Sugar upsets the minerals in the body.
3.

Sugar causes hyperactivity in children.
4.

Sugar produces a significant rise in triglycerides.
5.

Sugar contributes to the reduction in defense against bacterial infection.
6.

Sugar can cause kidney damage.
7.

Sugar reduces high density lipoproteins.
8.

Sugar leads to chromium deficiency.
9.

Sugar leads to cancer of the breast, ovaries, intestines, prostate and rectum.
10.

Sugar increases fasting levels of glucose and insulin.
11.

Sugar causes copper deficiency.
12.

Sugar interferes with absorption of calcium and magnesium.
13.

Sugar weakens eyesight.
14.

Sugar raises the level of neurotransmitters called serotonin.
15.

Sugar can cause hypoglycemia.
16.

Sugar can produce an over-acid stomach.
17.

Sugar can raise adrenaline levels in children.
18.

Sugar can lead to anxiety, difficulty concentrating and crankiness in children.
19.

Sugar can cause aging.
20.

Sugar can lead to alcoholism.
21.

Sugar causes tooth decay.
22.

Sugar contributes to obesity.
23.

Sugar can cause acidity in the stomach.
24.

Sugar can cause changes frequently found in persons with gastric or duodenal ulcers.
25.

Sugar can cause arthritis.
26.

Sugar can cause asthma.
27.

Sugar can cause Candida albicans (yeast infections.)
28.

Sugar can cause gallstones.
29.

Sugar can cause heart disease.
30.

Sugar can cause appendicitis
31.

Sugar can cause multiple sclerosis.
32.

Sugar can cause hemorrhoids.
33.

Sugar can cause varicose veins.
34.

Sugar can elevate glucose and insulin responses in oral contraceptive users.
35.

Sugar can lead to periodontal disease.
36.

Sugar can contribute to osteoporosis.
37.

Sugar contributes to saliva acidity.
38.

Sugar can cause a decrease in insulin sensitivity.
39.

Sugar leads to decreased glucose tolerance.
40.

Sugar can decrease growth hormone.
41.

Sugar can increase cholesterol.
42.

Sugar can increase the systolic blood pressure.
43.

Sugar can cause drowsiness and decreased activity in children.
44.

Sugar can cause migraine headaches.
45.

Sugar can interfere with the absorption of protein.
46.

Sugar causes food allergies.
47.

Sugar can contribute to diabetes.
48.

Sugar can cause toxemia during pregnancy.
49.

Sugar can contribute to eczema in children.

I could list a thousand other natural products and natural processes that produce all of the effects in the list above. Just a few for now ..

pregnancy can cause hemorrhoids
standing up in the morning does increase systolic blood pressure
peanuts can cause food allergy
living a long life will cause aging
tiredness can cause drowsiness and decreased activity in children
oranges will produce a transient reduction in saliva pH

This list contains items that must have been in the box that religion was delivered in:

Sugar can cause multiple sclerosis - what rubbish. Absolutely no evidence.
Sugar can cause Candida albicans (yeast infections.) - rubbish. Fungal infections are caused by fungi. Almost all microbiologists agree that thrush is due to a change in the balance of yeasts and bacteria, for example when antibiotics inhibit bacteria and the normally modulated coexisting yeast population then proliferates.

This is ridiculous. I'm not going to waste any more time responding to such an unscientific posting, comprising anecdotes, bias, subjectiveness, unproven statements and occasional lunacy.

And it all started out so well with those wonderful blueberries. Give them and inch ...

"I have nothing to say but I'll say it anyway"

Ain't it the truth!

is this all true??? where did you get this information???

Blueberries are excelent frozen as well--just add some to a smothie.

Blueberries are one of the "super foods." I just finished reading Superfoods Rx, it was a good read, and really made me reconsider my diet.

Did you try looking for them at an organic grocery store?

Xan, I have Nancy Appleton's book on the sugars.

PERHAPS IT IS THE OVER-USE OF ALL THE SUGARS WHICH IS THE PROBLEM
==========================================================
Xan: I read some of your stuff. I trust you are are not writng about all sugars as evils, agreed?

BALANCE IS THE KEY
=================
I take it you are writing about the excessive use of all the sugars, including sucrose. Problems are caused when any of them is used wrongly, right?

Surely, you are in favour of the balanced use of the basic sugars, like glucose, and fructose, in a balanced form, are you not? I assume you feel that, used in a balanced way, all sugars can have a practical value, right?

BTW, how extreme are your views. I presume you are in favour of a balanced approach in all things, right? Or not? If we do not really understand what is going on, perhaps this is the time when open and transparent dialogue are in order. Agreed?

I know personally I stick with all naturas sugars (honey, maple syrup, agave nectar) and sweeteners (stevia). I find natural sugars to be more easily digested, not to mention they come with an abundance of additional health benifits that refined sugar simply does not have.

I organic clover honey that I use with my tea.
The bag of white refined sugar in my kitchen has been sitting on the shelf for years. It rarely gets used.

I would also add Red grapes to the "holy grail" list of dark berries, also containing decent amounts of anthocyanin and Reservatrol (mostly in skin and seeds).

And don't forget the Blackcurrant!
Very high on vitamin C, GLA and MAOI's (antidepressant effects in high doses).
One of the most underrated berry's outside Russia, Scandinavia, UK, and a very good supplement if your lagging a little behind on your sunlight dosage due to heavy studying or just need a general little boost.
Might take a little while getting used to the taste but pfff it's absolutely worth it.

Other things to try that I love.

Juices: Goji berry, acai, mangosteen, noni and acerola cherries.

As far as fresh fruit goes, Concord grapes are amazing if you can get your hands on some fresh ones!