Blueberries Prevent Colon Cancer?

BlueBerries – are high in antioxidants, low in calories and sodium, contains no cholesterol and is high in fibre, folic acid, carotenoids, as well as vitamins C ( about 25mg/100g), A and B. A major component of the fibre is pectin, which is known for its ability to lower blood cholesterol. The juice from fresh blueberries also contains a compound that inhibits bacteria from anchoring to the bladder, helping prevent urinary tract infections.

How was the link between blueberries and colon cancer discovered? The Rutgers University researchers conducted a small study with eighteen rats for an eight week period.
The test rats were given azoxymethane (a cancer causing agent) to induce colon cancer and were given a balanced diet, while half of the study rats were given supplemental amounts of pterostilbene. At the end of the study, it was found that the rats who were supplemented with the blueberry compound, pterostilbene, had 57 percent less pre-cancerous cells. They test subjects also showed a lesser degree of inflammation and had reduced cell division in the bowels, both considered risk factors for developing colon cancer.

Blueberries

However, since wild blueberries are very seasonal and may not be available year round in your local store, here are a few ways to get the powerful antioxidants of the wild blueberry no matter what the season is:

• Fresh blueberries are great straight from the farm or the produce section of your local store when they are in season.

• Frozen blueberries are an excellent additional to any meal. Enjoy a few thawed blueberries in your pancakes or muffins. To get you hands on some frozen blueberries visit the refrigeration section of your local grocery store.

• A handful of dried wild blueberries are a great snack or and some to your morning cereal. In fact, studies conducted by blueberry researcher Charles M. Mainland, Ph.D., professor of horticulture at North Carolina State University, show that dried blueberries pack an even bigger punch, with four times greater antioxidant content than fresh blueberries.

• Try some wild blueberry supplements. These supplements are made from wild blueberries and deliver highly concentrated amounts of the wild blueberries in a capsule format. A good source for wild blueberry capsules is from Fruit Advantage. This company not only offers wild blueberry capsules, the sell a variety of fruit capsules.