SUPERFOOD

Learn the health benefits of bingeworthy blueberries

Canada is the world’s largest producer of lowbush blueberries, another name for the stands of native wild-growing blueberries from the eastern provinces. Now grown in British Columbia, Ontario, Quebec and the Maritimes, these delightful little morsels are ripe for the picking. There is nothing quite like the sweet, fresh taste of this truly Canadian fruit. THE BENEFITS

• No. 1! Blueberries are touted as having one of the highest antioxidant levels of all common fruits and vegetables. Anthocyanins—the same pigments found in last month’s superfood, rhubarb—give blueberries their rich blue hue, as well as their powerful antioxidant properties. These compounds protect the body from free radicals—unstable molecules—that can damage your cells and contribute to aging and disease. Antioxidants are also associated with protective effects against chronic and inflammatory conditions, such as cardiovascular disease, cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, depression and other disorders.

• A Nonpareil Nosh: Blueberries are low in calories and high in nutrients, making them an excellent snack. They are water-rich, full of dietary fibre and packed with vitamins C, B complex, E and A, as well as being loaded with minerals like selenium, manganese and zinc. Incorporating these delicious blue orbs into your diet as a daily nibble can have a positive effect on your overall health, including the your blood pressure, insulin sensitivity and cognitive capabilities.

• Brain Food: Recent research supports the notion that blueberries’ antioxidants can have a real benefit in improving memory and cognition for some older adults. A study from the University of Exeter found that consuming 30 millilitres of concentrated blueberry juice (equivalent to 230 grams of blueberries) every day for 12 weeks has the potential to significantly increase brain activity and improve brain blood flow, as well as some aspects of working memory in healthy older adults.

Still, researchers say that it’s always best to eat whole fruits to take in their full benefits.