Re: Lots of good press out there for blueberries

BLUEBERRIES
In addition to soluble and insoluble fibre, blueberries also contain tannins, which act as astringents in the digestive system to reduce inflammation. Blueberries also promote urinary tract health. Blueberries contain the same compounds found in cranberries that help prevent or eliminate urinary tract infections. In order for bacteria to infect, they must first adhere to the mucosal lining of the urethra and bladder. Components found in cranberry and blueberry juice reduce the ability of E. coli (the bacteria that is the most common cause of urinary tract infections), to adhere to a mucosal layer. Blueberries, like orange peel has been shown to have remarkable effects in lowering cholesterol levels as effectively as statins and of course without the statin side effect.

A compound used by the berries to fight off fungal infections may also help lower cholesterol. The compound, called pterostilbene , also helps regulate blood Sugar and might help fight type-2 diabetes. The researchers studied pterostilbene in rat liver cells, soaking them in four compounds found in blueberries. Pterostilbene was the best at activating the PPAR-alpha receptor, a protein involved in lowering cholesterol and other blood fats. They found that pterostilbene worked as well as the commercial cholesterol- lowering drug Ciprofibrate™ and had fewer side effects, researchers said. Since plants produce pterostilbene in response to stresses such as fungal infection, it may also be a promising compound to develop into a natural-based fungicide.

(I didn't write it, I just cut and paste it. -Lynne)
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