Blueberries_on_branchBlueberries are among the most abundant flavonoid sources. Flavonoids are antioxidants that are naturally present in plants. Two double-blind crossover trials that involved twenty one healthy men were conducted by the University of Reading’s Jeremy Spencer and his colleagues. In the first study, the effects of four different blueberry flavonoid doses on flow-mediated dilation (FMD) were assessed. FMD is a blood vessel elasticity gauge that measures blood vessels at different time points. In this study, five different time points were involved. The participants were given a drink containing the flavonoids, while others received drinks without the flavonoids. According to the team’s observations, FMD rose at one to two hours after consumption of flavonoids. It again increased at six hours after consumption.

In the second study, the effects of five different dosages of blueberry polyphenols were investigated between zero and one hour time points. In their observations, there was a dose-dependent response or reaction. This was noted when up to 766 mg of blueberry polyphenols were consumed. Above this dose, the response attained a flat rate or plateau and no additional benefits were recorded. The team of researchers posted that the activity of nicotinamide-adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) was decreased by the increases in flow-mediated dilation obtained. NDPH is an enzyme that takes part in generation of free radicals or protons. The authors of the study submitted that consumption of blueberry is effective in improving vascular function.

Several research studies have shown that the antioxidants found in blueberries are potentially beneficial to the brain and nervous system. New evidence has also suggested that blueberries can have an impact on memory boost. Fortunately, blueberries can be frozen freely without damaging their anthocyanin antioxidants. Anthocyanin is a chemical compound that is responsible for giving foods their colorful shades of red, purple and blue. Therefore, the above information presents a good reason why you should incorporate blueberries in your daily diet.