BLUEBERRIES: THE ULTIMATE ANTI CANCER BERRY

When anti cancer foods are recommended, blueberries are certain to be mentioned. They are small, and occupy a rather small place in our diets, because they are seasonal foods that must be frozen in order to be eaten year around. Still, blueberries contain anthocyanidins, polyphenols that are antioxidants, and may also have an important impact on the development of cancer.

WHAT ARE ANTHOCYANIDINS?

Anthocyanidins are a class of polyphenols that are responsible for the bright colors of many fruits and vegetables, including the deep blue color of blueberries. These pigments are especially abundant in raspberries and blueberries, in fact a blueberry lover can easily eat up to 200 milligrams of anthocyanidins a day. Many believe this polyphenol is responsible for the strong antioxidant nature of blueberries; however, it is not established that the antioxidant nature of fruits are what cause them to be strong in their impact on the development of cancerous tumors. Whether or not the action of anthocyanidins is related to their antioxidant ability, they are believed to be instrumental in causing cancer cells to commit suicide (apoptosis), and to inhibit angiogenesis (the building of new blood vessels by tumors in order to spread and grow). For this reason, blueberries remain a very important part of any anti-cancer diet.

BLUEBERRIES AS COMPLIMENTS TO OTHER DISHES

While blueberries are delicious eaten alone, they can also liven up other dishes, for instance morning cereal, or a raw fruit and vegetable salad. They are also an excellant and healthy desert choice.

CLICK BELOW FOR RECIPES USING BLUEBERRIES IN SMOOTHIES & MILKSHAKES:

MIXED BERRY SMOOTHIE: FUN WITH ANTI CANCER FOODS:

http://hubpages.com/_2pvzhao591xs4/hub/ANTI-CANCER-BERRY-SMOOTHIE-RECIPE-FUN-WITH-ANTI-CANCER-FOODS

BLUEBERRY BANANA GINGER MILK: FUN WITH ANTI CANCER FOODS

http://hubpages.com/_2pvzhao591xs4/hub/BLUEBERRY-BANANA-GINGER-MILK-FUN-WITH-ANTI-CANCER-FOODS