In an old animated television series called ‘Gummy Bears’, there were bears who would drink a super charged berry juice. This animated series must have been inspired as berries do give you a boost. Blueberries, originally from North America, are now becoming more accessible to us.

Through scientific research we know that these berries help in supporting your eyes, cardiovascular system, brain, blood and cholesterol levels to be in optimal states. In bygone days the leaves of the blueberry plant were made into medicinal tea, while berry juice was an acclaimed remedy too.

Blueberries are high in fiber and vitamin C, however it is their content of antioxidants (including anythocyanins) that deserves more praise. There are different types of anythocyanins, and they all tend to give foods a red, purple or black colour and a wealth of health benefits. One of these benefits is protection against cancer development. Anthocyanins have been shown by research to raise the HDL (high-density lipoprotein). HDL is a form of bound cholesterol that is moving from the arteries to the liver. The liver is a prime site of cholesterol production and processing for excretion. You may well know the danger of too much cholesterol, but why do we even have cholesterol?

 Cholesterol is essential for health, as it is the precursor to vitamin D and various hormones (including the reproductive hormones of estrogen, progesterone and testosterone). Your brain has a very high content of fat, including cholesterol, for a reason. You know when you have a short circuit and the plug points keep ‘tripping’. Well, consider your brain with all its electrical connections via the neurones (nerve cells). The fatty components around the neurons ensure that these electrical impulses can transmit quicker and more efficiently. 

 Cholesterol is a major component of bile. The liver makes bile, which is stored in the gall bladder. Bile helps in the digestion of fatty foods. Foods that encourage healthy cholesterol levels and protection against environmental toxins, include blueberries.

 In the end a cup of blueberries or berry juice may indeed give you a ‘bounce’ in your step as your heart and mind truly get joyful from its goodness.

 By Anastacia Sampson