Blueberry Nutrition
Blueberries have gained a lot of
attention as a super food and rightly so. One study has shown that blueberries came top of the list for their antioxidant activity, when compared to forty other fruits and vegetables. Other berries such as strawberries, raspberries and blackberries also score great, but blueberries take the lead. The classification chart for the antioxidant capacity of foods is called ORAC – Oxygen Radical Absorption Capacity. The higher the score the greater the foods’ ability in fighting free radicals, which are harmful molecules that speed up aging and increase our risk of disease.
ORAC Score – Per 100g:
Dark Chocolate – 13120
Blueberry – 2400
Blackberry – 2036
Strawberry – 1540
Spinach – 1260
Broccoli – 890
Red Grapes – 739
Anthocyanins
Anthocyanins are the most abundant of blueberry nutrition antioxidants and a
major player in its high ORAC score. Anthocyanins have been shown to be effective at protecting blood vessels from free radical damage, reducing the risks of developing atherosclerosis and therefore heart disease. They also have anti-inflammatory properties and like other antioxidants they reduce the risk of developing cancers. Anthocyanins are also responsible for giving blueberries their dark blue coloring.
Proanthocyanidins
Proanthocyanidins are another blueberry antioxidant. They are not present in the quantities that anthocyanins are, but are still an important constituent in the health benefits of blueberries. Proanthocyanidins antioxidant activities promote the stability of collagen and help maintain its elasticity. Collagen is a connective tissue that plays a vital part in maintaining healthy artery walls and reducing our risk of developing cardiovascular disease. Collagen is also important for supporting our joints, muscles and organs. Research indicates that proanthocyanidins may also be beneficial for lowering blood pressure and reducing high cholesterol levels.
Vitamin C
Blueberry nutrition includes good levels of vitamin C, 1 cup providing 14.1mg.
Vitamin C is also a powerful antioxidant that helps reduce the risk of heart disease and cancers. It is a vital part of the immune system and protects us from viruses like cold and flu. Vitamin C, like proanthocyanidin, is important for maintaining healthy collagen. Where as proanthocyanidins and vitamin C both protect collagen from free radicals, vitamin C is also a necessary constituent in the molecular makeup of collagen. If our intake of vitamin C is too low, then cholesterol is used in place of vitamin C to create collagen, which results in a hardening of the arteries.
Blueberry Nutrition Vitamin Profile
As well as containing a good level of vitamin C, blueberry vitamins also include good amounts of vitamins A, E, B1, B2, B3, B6, folate, pantothenic acid and vitamin K.
Blueberry Nutrition Mineral profile
Blueberry is a good source of the minerals potassium, phosphorous, calcium, magnesium, manganese, selenium and zinc.
In Health
Darren and Veronica Haynes



popular as an agent of natural healing. It is believed to have originated in the areas of Northern Africa, Cape Verde and the Canary Islands. From there it has spread throughout Asia and Europe and was introduced to South America by the colonizing Spaniards. Its therapeutic uses have been recorded by many civilizations including the Persians, Egyptians and the Romans. It’s first recorded use may date back to B.C.E 2200, where some believe its use was inscribed on a Sumerian Clay Tablet.
Aloe vera juice benefits the colon greatly and is often a staple ingredient in many colon cleanse programs. It provides nutrition that helps to improve the quality of the mucous membrane linings of the colon wall. These mucous membranes are effectively the lubrication that helps the transit of feces through the colon at a healthy speed. This can help eliminate constipation problems along with proper diet and hydration. Additionally, aloe vera juice helps to remove old feces that have become stuck to the colon wall. This is considered a common problem, due to the decrease of fiber in the modern diet of the Western World. Taking products like aloe vera juice to help remove old fecal matter can have major health promoting effects. This old fecal matter is poisonous to us. It provides a base for toxic bacteria to grow, which is then absorbed into the blood stream – a condition called autointoxication. Clearly, this can generate a myriad of health conditions from constipation and diarrhea to cancer.
Aloe has been used for centuries as an aid for cuts and burns. According to some studies, when aloe is applied topically to a wound, it can speed up the healing process. Also, drinking aloe vera juice can help improve skin quality and complexion. It contains many nutrients and antioxidants which are vital to skin health, such as vitamin C, E and the mineral zinc.
overproduction of sebum, the oil that lubricates our skin. This is fundamentally a hormonal problem that triggers the sebaceous glands, beneath our skin, to become overactive. This can often be a hereditary problem or the result of hormonal changes in our life. Hormonal changes during puberty and the teenage years is a well known risk factor. Pregnancy, the menstrual cycle and menopause are times when sebum production may increase in women.
do it! Excessive washing can remove too much sebum, which in turn will signal the sebaceous glands to produce more sebum! This can be a classic mistake when dealing with oily skin. Using glycerin soap can be beneficial, it is much kinder on the skin and doesn’t contain chemicals that can cause more problems.

with a complete body cleanse. Fresh Juices supply us with an abundance of vitamins, minerals, phytochemicals, antioxidants and enzymes in a way that is easily and quickly absorbed. This provides tremendous support to our major detoxification organs – the liver, kidneys and colon. Before starting any kind of detox method we must ensure that the colon is functioning properly. Many of the toxins that are released during whole body cleansing are transported from the liver to the colon to be eliminated. If we are not having a bowel movement at least once a day we will reabsorb a lot of the toxins back into the bloodstream. Some health experts even believe that we should have one bowel movement for every meal we eat. If we eat three meals a day, we should poop three times a day.
5 large carrots
