Blueberries: A Fountain of Youth?

 

First and foremost, I want to introduce myself and give a huge thank you to Doorganics for giving me the opportunity to be a part of their team!

My name is Kelly Hassberger. I am a Naturopathic Doctor (ND) and the owner of Grand Rapids Natural Health. I am currently working with clients here in Grand Rapids, to help them achieve optimal health through diet and lifestyle modification, nutritional supplementation, homeopathy, botanical medicine and more. I work with each individual to create a unique plan that both prevents disease as well as eases symptoms that are already occurring. I am excited to have the opportunity to share with the Doorganics family how the local, organic, fruits and vegetables that are delivered to your door each week can benefit your health!

Now to the juicy stuff…no pun intended 🙂

This weeks Doorganics delivery contains a fruit that may just be a very simple secret to decreasing aging.  It is the blueberry; a wonderful, local, Michigan fruit that is rich in both anti-oxidants and anti-inflammatories. Let’s focus on the anti-oxidants in blueberries, as they play a huge role in healthy aging.

Blueberries are rich in potent anti-oxidants, including anthocyanins and bioflavonoids, which work to combat oxidative damage in the body caused by free radicals. Here is where the anti-aging effects come in to play. Oxidative damage in the body causes cells to become unstable and damaged. Things like poor diets, emotional stress, and lack of physical exercise, create free radicals, leading to more cell damage and death.

One of the best ways to retain youth and vitality is to minimize the effects of free radical damage on the body, especially the skin. Free radicals break down the collagen strands in our skin, causing sagging skin, wrinkles, and age spots. A great way to keep young, healthy, vibrant skin is to eat a diet high in organic, anti-oxidant rich foods, which combat free radical damage, just like the blueberry.

The effects of free radicals are not just skin deep, however. Over time, the process of oxidation and free radicals begin to break down our cells and can affect all of our body’s systems, including the nervous system, cardiovascular system, gastrointestinal system and more. Antioxidants help neutralize free radical cells by stabilizing them so they aren’t running amuck in our bodies, which makes them one the most effective strategies for staying young from the inside out.

Research has shown many ways that these anti-oxidants benefit our bodies; these include improving memory and cognition, increasing cardiovascular health, decreasing cholesterol, balancing blood sugar levels, improving eyesight and even decreasing the risk of many kinds of cancer. And the list goes on! Blueberries are also a potent source of Vitamin C and dietary fiber. Their health benefits are endless!

Bottom line: eat your blueberries, enjoy the savory taste and know that this sweet, juicy little fruit just may be the key to a longer, healthier life.

Recipe:

A great way to get blueberries in your diet is in a smoothie. Try this healthy morning smoothie recipe, rich in nutrients, fiber and protein.

2 cups Blueberries

½ Banana

1 large handful kale or spinach

1 tbsp freshly ground flax or chia seeds

1 tsp organic peanut or almond butter

½ coconut water, ½ water for liquid

Add Protein powder of your choice if desired (rice, pea, whey)

Blend, pour, enjoy!

 

If interest in learning more about Grand Rapids Natural Health, please visit my website www.grnaturalhealth.com or call 616-264-6556 to request a free 15-minute consultation.

By: Kelly S. Hassberger, ND      July 31st, 2013