High Blood Pressure
You can't turn on a television, pick up a newspaper, or go to
a doctor's appointment these days without hearing about high
blood pressure. It's a sad fact that, according to the American
Heart Association, over two million Americans find out they
suffer from high blood pressure; of these, more than 45,000 die
annually as a result of the condition. The UK
Blood Pressure Association (BPA) says: The UK statistics on
obesity demonstrate the urgent need for action ... "
Blood pressure is defined as, "The pressure exerted
by the blood against the walls of the blood vessels, especially
the arteries. It varies with the strength of the heartbeat, the
elasticity of the arterial walls, the volume and viscosity of the
blood, and a person's health, age, and physical condition." It
is, literally, pressure from your blood! You can have high blood
pressure for years without knowing it or showing symptoms, and,
if untreated, can increase your chances of having a stroke by seven,
and of heart failure by six.
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Blueberries!
But wait - there's good news! You might have a bit of prevention
unknowingly sitting in your freezer
That's right - the pretty little berries in your pie or your favourite
muffins are also being touted as a powerful high blood pressure
treatment, due to their high antioxidant levels.
There has been a longstanding belief in natural medicine that
there are certain foods that provide more than just dietary value
and are believed to have disease-fighting and healing properties.
One of these foods that has been studied and proven to be, among
other things, a tasty way to fill up on antioxidants, is the blueberry.
In fact, blueberries have, in been shown to be number one in antioxidant
activity, as compared to 40 other fruits and vegetables.
Probably the most nutrient-laden part of the blueberry is its
skin. The dye released from the pigments in the skin of the blueberry,
called anthocyanin is the source of the powerful antioxidants used
by the body to fight off high blood pressure. But, before we go
on, what are antioxidants.
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Antioxidants
Antioxidants, by definition, are "any of various
substances (as beta-carotene, vitamin C, and alpha-tocopherol)
that inhibit oxidation or reactions promoted by oxygen and peroxides
and that include many held to protect the living body from the
deleterious effects of free radicals." What this means
is that antioxidants, like those found in blueberries, fight
off toxic forms of oxygen.
Eating plenty of foods rich in antioxidants may play a major role
in your cognitive functions, according to research. While it’s
known that antioxidants may protect against heart disease, certain
cancers, and other age-related disease, they may also help to keep
our cognitive skills strong as we age.
One of the primary factors in brain aging is thought to be oxidative
damage, with research suggesting that diets rich in natural antioxidants
may help to slow this damage.
In one study on brain aging, blueberries, which are very high
in antioxidants, appeared to be beneficial. And further, scientists
believe that blueberries contain chemicals that have not even yet
been identified - which that can protect the brain and even lessen
the consequences of brain damage.
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Blueberry Health!
There has been a longstanding belief in natural medicine that
there are certain foods that provide more than just dietary value
and are believed to have disease-fighting and healing properties.
As you have just read, one of these foods is the blueberry.
In recent USDA studies, blueberries have, in fact, been shown
to be number one in antioxidant activity, as compared to 40 other
fruits and vegetables (Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research
Center on Aging at Tufts University).
The only challenge though, is If you eat too many blueberries.
Overdosing on fresh blueberries, or Blueberry juice will release
too much sugar in your system that will cause insulin levels to
rise and, eventually worsen rather than an improve your health.
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Blueberries - Good for more than simply managing Blood Pressure
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Decreasing your risk of cancer
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Preventing heart disease and stroke by reducing the build
up of so-called "bad" cholesterol
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Guarding against Alzheimer's and other neurological diseases
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Combating aging and reversing short term memory loss
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Relieving arthritis inflammation
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Fighting infection and strengthening the immune system
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Promoting urinary tract health
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Optimizing vision health and reversing the causes of blindness
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Blueberry Supplements
While its great to incorporate fresh fruits into our diets, often
they are unavailable, inconvenient to purchase, or we simply don't
have the time to properly prepare them.
Sure, you can throw a handful of blueberries onto your cereal
in the morning, but the best way to grab a hold of everything the
blueberry has to offer is with the convenience of an extract.
Blueberry juice is another alternative, but often comes heavily
sweetened, creating another problem in itself.
A popular and convenient way of guaranteeing that you get the
right amount of blueberries daily is by taking a supplement. Fresh
blueberries can be very expensive, and sometimes difficult to find,
but with a concentrated blueberry extract, you can easily utilize
the nutritional benefits of the blueberry.
Also, by taking advantage of blueberry supplements, you avoid
the hassle of choosing the "best" berries at the supermarket,
or of having to mix up messy powders.
Pure Herbal Extracts™ produce one of the highest potency Blueberry
supplements available, which guarantees you receive
the best benefits from the many properties that blueberries
offer you.
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Blueberry References:
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Blueberries May Protect Against Cancer and Heart Disease. Blueberries,
cranberries, huckleberries and related plants have now been
found to contain resveratrol, a potential anticancer agent,
according to Agricultural Research Service scientists who made
the discovery. Report by ARS, the leading scientific research
agency of the US Department of Agriculture.
Blueberries
May Protect Against Cancer and Heart Disease - ARS Report
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"Blueberries 'lower cholesterol'. Blueberries
could provide an alternative way to lower cholesterol, according
to US researchers. A compound in the fruits acted as effectively
as a commercial drug used to reduce levels of the "bad" form
of cholesterol in rodents. Other studies suggest blueberries
may fight cancer and diabetes."
Blueberries
Lower Cholesterol - BBC Report August 2004
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Blueberry Health Benefits: "From research labs
all across the country and the world, there is growing evidence
that blueberries could be powerful little disease fighters.
Here is what we have learned so far. (summary) Antioxidants
Anti-Aging Disease Prevention Urinary Tract Infections Eyesight
New Research Cholesterol - new information!" Quote
from the:
Blueberry
Council Report on the Health Benefits of Blueberry
Pure Herbal Extracts™ produce one of the highest potency Blueberry
supplements available, which guarantees you receive
the best benefits from the many properties that blueberries
offer you.
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