Alternative Natural Weekly | Extreme Superfruit-Latin American Blueberries

Scientists have just found a “extreme super-fruit” in a relatively newly discovered species of blueberries in Latin America.  Scientists studied five separate species found in the Central and South American tropics, and found that two species of blueberries, Cavendishia grandifolia and Anthopterus wardii, had four to five times more antioxidant properties than blueberries normal found in the United States.

Why are antioxidants so important?

This a term that is so loosely used by the media and smoothie shops, but what are antioxidants?  As it is meant, with regards to our diet, antioxidants are molecules that are often found in fruits, vegetables, spices and other herbals, that can block the occurrence of a process in our cells known as reactive oxygen species (ROS).  ROS occurs when oxygen in our body become extremely reactive, almost like an acid, and begins to damage our cells and mutate our DNA.  It is thought that increased ROS levels is an important initating step to the development of cancer and other diseases.

So the idea is that by eating higher levels of antioxidants, we may be able to prevent the development of disease, although this actual effect is far from conclusive.  A lot of scientific reports have found that the health effects of these antioxidants are not very powerful, but then again, can simply eating healthy be a bad thing?

Too much of a good thing?

Antioxidants are not neccessarilly good for you.  While I mentioned the damaging effects of ROS, these reactive moleucles also have important roles in the immune system specifically involved in the destruction of diseased cells.  If too much anti-oxidants are taken, this could actually allow a cell that should have been destroyed by our immune system, to grow and thrive, including cancer cells.  Atnioxidants may also block the effect of important mediocation including cancer drugs.

Wait which is it, do antioxidants or ROS cause disease?

The answer to that question is yes.  They both have roles in combatting cancer too.  The issue is more about balance.  A balanced diet is the healthiest approach.  Eating more fruit, will likley not hurt you, but when people being to superload on antioxidant vitamins, then potential problems could possibly occur.  With regards to any antioxidant compounds you should consult your medical doctor or other trusted healthcare providers to give proper advice about using these supplements, especially with your already prescribed medication.

Okay, but are blueberries actually worth it?

Well, there are a lot of reports about the health benefits of blueberries.  I have provided some links to some actual papers that show blueberries can be beneficial for memory loss, diabetes and cancer

Blueberry supplementation improves memory in older adults.

Bioactives in blueberries improve insulin sensitivity in obese, insulin-resistant men and women.

Cranberry and blueberry: evidence for protective effects against cancer and vascular diseases.

I know I like blueberries.  How about you?