Blueberry is a favorite fruit in many parts of the United States, to which it is indigenous. They are ball-shaped, about the size of big pearls or beads, and bright blue in color. They grow on a bush, which has bright bluish-green leaves. The Huckleberry is a berry that grows in other parts of the United States that looks like a Blueberry, but it is smaller and more of a deep purple in color. Farmers in New York, New Jersey, and New England grow Blueberries for market, and the bushes are found growing wild in many places. Early settlers in America used Blueberry widely, both as a food product and as a medicine. Modern research shows that the settlers of old were wise to incorporate Blueberry into their diets and their medicine cabinets. Blueberry has been shown to be among the most powerful antioxidants in all of nature. This is in part due to the flavonoid, anthocyanin, which gives Blueberries their blue color. Blueberry contains anthocyanin, which has been shown to be a powerful antioxidant that has the ability to improve the strength of the capillaries in the eyes, and to improve cardiovascular health. Anthocyanin has been extensively studied for its known ability to improve eyesight and reduce eyestrain. Blueberry also shows promise in the treatment of Alzheimer's and in the reduction of age related lessening of mental acuity. Studies have also shown that Blueberry may reduce bad cholesterol levels, thus leading to a healthier cardiovascular system and a possible reduction in the likelihood of stroke. Blueberry also seems to reduce the occurrence of urinary tract infections. As a nutritional supplement, Blueberry is a good source of potassium, calcium, Vitamins A, C, and E, folic acid, and fiber.
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Spinach is a leafy green vegetable that came originally from southwestern Asia and is now grown in most parts of the world. Its leaves, which are broad and smooth and about ten inches long, make one of the most popular, though maligned by children everywhere, of cooked leafy vegetables. Spinach is also used raw in salads. Though Spinach is most often used as a food, it has medicinal value as well. It is well known that Spinach is packed with vitamins and minerals. Spinach is most often associated with iron content, but in reality it has about the same amount of iron as most leafy green vegetables. What sets Spinach apart is its abundance of Calcium. It is also a great source of Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin K, and folic acid. Spinach is also a good source of Chlorophyll, which is known to aid in digestion. Spinach is also rich in the carotenoids Beta-Carotene and Lutein. It is a good source of the bioflavonoid Quercetin as well, giving Spinach anti-oxidant properties in addition to its many other benefits. Much research has been done on the amazing properties of Spinach. It shows great promise as a cancer reducer, having been shown to slow the growth of stomach cancer and skin cancer cells, and it contains several constituents that have been shown to reduce the likelihood of colon cancer. Spinach is also used to prevent the bone loss associated with osteoporosis and for its anti-inflammatory properties in easing the pain of arthritis. Spinach is good for the heart and circulatory system and has energy-boosting properties. Spinach has also been shown to improve brain function and may reduce age-related cognitive problems. Spinach is truly one of nature's most perfect foods. |
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Spirulina is a blue-green algae found in saline lakes and ponds in Central and South America and Africa, and is used throughout the world as a nutritional supplement. Spirulina has similar properties to Chlorella, but it is higher in protein. Spirulina contains chlorophyll, which is essential in maintaining healthy digestion and cleansing the bowels. Spirulina also contains 65-70% vegetable protein. The protein contained in Spirulina is especially beneficial, as it contains none of the harmful fats or cholesterol found in meat. It also contains a host of vitamins and nutrients, and is one of the few non-meat sources of Vitamin B12. Spirulina is especially high in beta-carotene, calcium, iron, niacin, and phosphorus. Spirulina is used for health rejuvenation and weight reduction, and is considered an excellent blood and colon cleanser. Adding Spirulina to cultured immune system cells significantly increases the production of infection fighting cytokines, say immunologists at UC Davis School of Medicine and Medical Center. Their finding was published in the Journal of Medicinal Foods. A number of animal studies have shown Spirulina to be an effective immunomodulator (an agent that can effect the behavior of immune cells). In rats, Spirulina inhibited allergic reactions by suppressing the release of histamine in a dose-dependent fashion. In cats, Spirulina enhanced the ability of macrophages to engulf bacteria, and in chickens Spirulina increased antibody responses and the activity of natural killer cells, which destroy infected and cancerous cells in the body. While extensive human studies have not been done, several reports also suggest Spirulina has therapeutic effects on hyperlipidemia and obesity.
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