Wild Blueberries Shown to Fight Oxidative Stress

- USDA Study Examines Antioxidant Status Changes After Meals -PORTLAND, Maine, Nov. 30 /PRNewswire/ -- USDA scientists recentlyconcluded that eating Wild Blueberries and other antioxidant-rich foods atevery meal helps prevent oxidative stress. (Journal of the American Collegeof Nutrition, Vol. 26, No. 2, 170-181, 2007) This study advances antioxidantresearch by moving beyond the measurement of antioxidants in foods to actualexamination of the performance of specific fruits against oxidative stress inthe body. Oxidative stress is linked to chronic diseases and aging.

"We are confident that consumption of Wild Blueberries or other highantioxidant foods is going to be beneficial in fighting oxidative stress,"said lead scientist Ronald L. Prior, Ph.D., USDA Arkansas Children's NutritionCenter. "It's not just what you eat but when you eat it that matters.Phytochemicals in foods have varying degrees of bioavailability and generallyare cleared from the blood 2-4 hours after they're eaten. Ensuring that yourbody has a steady supply of antioxidant-rich foods can help combat oxidativestress throughout the day." The study also found that eating a meal with noantioxidants -- just carbohydrates, fat or protein -- lowers the antioxidantlevels and causes oxidative stress. "You're deficit spending when you eatjunk food. You need to continually consume antioxidant-rich foods to keeplevels up for optimal health."

According to Dr. Prior, results from five separate clinical trials at fourdifferent institutions were combined in the analysis. During the trials,subjects ate Wild Blueberries, dried plums, cherries, grapes, kiwifruit, orstrawberries. Affiliated research partners included the USDA Human NutritionResearch Center on Aging in Boston, Massachusetts, the USDA/ARS Western HumanNutrition Research Center at the University of California, Davis, and theDepartment of Food Science and Human Nutrition at the University of Maine. Inaddition to evaluating changes in antioxidant status, the studies resulted inpreliminary recommendations for antioxidant intake. "It takes about 2.5servings of antioxidant containing fruits and/or vegetables in a meal and alittle less if you choose high antioxidant foods like Wild Blueberries toprevent oxidative stress following the meal. The more calories you take inthe more dietary antioxidants you need," said Prior.

According to Wild Blueberry Association Nutrition Advisor Susan Davis,M.S., R.D., this research proves yet again the importance of fruits andvegetables and a diet that minimizes foods with little or no nutritionalvalue. "Incorporate fruits and vegetables and other whole foods like grainsand nuts into every meal to get the full phytochemical benefits you need tofight oxidative stress and inflammation," said Davis. "Fresh, frozen, canned,juice or dried, all forms count when you're trying to increase your intake offruits and vegetables. When it comes to Wild Blueberries, eat at least 1/2cup every day as part of a well-balanced diet."

Wild Blueberry Association of North America

The Wild Blueberry Association of North America is a trade association ofgrowers and processors of Wild Blueberries from Maine, dedicated to bringingthe Wild Blueberry health story and unique Wild Advantages to consumers andthe trade worldwide. To learn more about Wild Blueberries visitwildblueberries.comSOURCE Wild Blueberry Association of North AmericaSue Till of Swardlick Marketing Group for Wild Blueberry Association of NorthAmerica, +1-207-775-4100, still@swardlick.com