Today's beneficial seasonal food from the Plant Kingdom...

Berry-licious And Nutritious, A Health Jackpot

Berries are the perfect example of quality versus quantity. They are small fruits, but contain huge health benefits (they are also beautiful to look at.)
Berries contain large amounts of special compounds called polyphenols, which act as antioxidants and are antiviral, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and anti-carcinogenic.

Dr. James Joseph, the lead scientist in the laboratory of Neuroscience at the USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University said that the polyphenols in blueberries turn on the signals (signal is a technical term for the communication from neuron to neuron) for neurons to talk to one another. Blueberries are considered a brain food because their high antioxidant power keeps your memory sharp. Consuming them everyday dramatically slows impairment in motor coordination and memory, helps lower blood cholesterol and promotes urinary health.There was also a study published in the Journal of Neuroscience showing that animals that consumed blueberries, strawberries and spinach everyday had significant improvements in short-term memory. This study also showed that fruits and vegetables reverse dysfunctions in behavior and nerve cells, and protect blood vessels against damage.

Strawberries and raspberries are not only a great source of dietary fiber but also a great source of ellagic acid. Ellagic acid is a natural occurring phenolic compound in plants that are especially rich in berries. In The American Cancer Society’s Guide to Complementary and Alternative Cancer Methods, it states that ellagic acid has been proven to cause apoptosis (natural cell death) in cancer cells without harming healthy cells as chemotherapy does. This component may also be the most potent for cancer prevention, inhibiting the growth of cancer cells, strengthening the immune system, preventing heart disease, birth defects, liver fibrosis, promoting wound healing, preventing the binding of carcinogens to DNA, strengthening connective tissue – which may keep cancer cells from spreading – and protecting the p53 gene from free-radical damage. The p53 gene exists in all cells, and it programs natural cell death and protects DNA. If this gene is mutated by damage from free radicals, apoptosis does not occur, cells replicate with mutated p53 genes, and cancer is the logical result. Last but not least, ellagic acid reduces the destruction of collagen and inflammatory response inhuman cells, both of which are major causes of wrinkles.

Remember to always think of your body not only as the big mass you see in front of the mirror, but also as a micro universe, with millions of cells that depend on you just as you depend on them. Start to build that internal relationship with yourself, it is the beginning of a beautiful – and healthy – friendship…a berry, berry good one.