Eat This, Stay Sharp

Eat This, Stay Sharp

blueberries-315x209Glorious blueberries, sweet acai berries, luscious strawberries- new research shows they may boost your aging brain.

As we get older, damaged cells accumulate in the brain, which can lead to age-related diseases such as dementia, Alzheimer’s, and Parkinson’s. That’s where berries come in. Polyphenols, which give berries their deep-red or blue hue, activate proteins that “clean up” damaged cells, breaking down and recycling the toxic chemicals linked to age-related mental decline, says study author Shibu Poulose, Ph.D., a molecular biologist with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging in Boston.

These berried treasures do more than help your mind: Blueberries rank first among fruits for their antioxidant powers, strawberries are tops in vitamin C, and acai berries contain high levels of omega-6 and -9 fatty acids, thought to play a role in cardiovascular health, says nutritionist Robyn Webb, food editor  of Diabetes Forecast magazine.

So-ready to increase your berry intake? Add them to cereal, puree them into sauces, or just eat them fresh.

-Monica Bhide Your Health – Nutrition (AARP Magazine Vol. 54, No. 2C)

(Comments – Organic is better. You can buy wild organic blueberries at Cosco. If not: put inorganic berries in a bowl of water. Add 1 teas. each of fresh lemon juice and white vinegar. Let soak for 5 min. Remove and wrinse – The pesticides are removed)

Dr. John S. Theodorou

 

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