@ BLUEBERRIES/ Vaccinium angustifolium (lowbush, aka ‘wild’)

There are a number, large, of items that I’ve researched that have so many effective phytonutrients that it is puzzling why they arent a regular part of everyone’s diet. We all know that BLUEBERRIES have one of the highest antioxidant profiles, but do we know that they help preserve brain function in older men and women? That they help lower cholesterol? That they help reduce the likelihood of several kinds of cancer? That they help reduce brain damage in stroke victims? That they lower blood pressure? That PROANTHOCYANIDIN in BLUEBERRY leaves can block replication of Hepatitis C? That they enhanced memory in adults? That they reduce blood sugar levels and help relieve depression?

-BLUEBERRIES are members of a genus that includes, cranberries and bilberries
-as many as 30 different species in the US
-lowbush BLUEBERRIES prized for their intense color.
-Maine produces about 25% of all lowbush (wild) BLUEBERRIES in the US.
-various compounds in BLUEBERRIES have the power to help prevent cancer in all three phases: initiation, promotion, and proliferation
-sterol compounds in BLUEBERRIES inhibit cancer in the first stage
-ANTHOCYANINS inhibit cancers in the second and third stages.
-PTEROSTILBENE possible anti-cancer agent in BLUEBERRIES
-studied the effects of BLUEBERRIES on androgen dependent (LNCaP) and androgen independent (DU 145) cell lines. Neither wild nor cultivated whole BLUEBERRIES had an effect on DU-145, two fractions from cultivated and one from wild did affect DU 145. abstract did not mention which ‘fractions’. —-from Cancer Letters 2006; 231: 240-246 Schmidt et al.
-flavonoids inhibit matrix metallo proteinase activity in DU 145.
-each berry species contains a unique anthocyanidin profile that contributes to its distinct health benefits. Compared to other berries they contain a very large variety of anthocyanidins:
MALVIDIN-3-GALACTOSIDE
DELPHINIDIN-3-GALACTOSIDE
DELPHINIDIN-3-ARABINOSIDE
PETUNIDIN-3-GALACTOSIDE
PETUNIDIN-3-ARABINOSIDE
MALVINIDIN-3-ARABINOSIDE
DELPHINIDIN-3-GLUCOSIDE
PETUNIDIN-3-GLUCOSIDE
MALVIDIN-3-GLUCOSIDE
PEONIDIN-3-GLUCOSIDE
CYANIDIN-3-GLUCOSIDE
PEOPNIDIN-3-ARABINOSIDE
CYANIDIN-3-GALACTOSIDE

-controlling MMP activity by BLUEBERRY flavonoids is important in preventing metastasis
-PTEROSTILBENE inhibits pancreatic cancer in vitro
-BLUEBERRY PROANTHOCYANIDINS have an inhibiting effect primarily on androgen dependent cancers.
-BLUEBERRY ANTHOCYANINS effective in several breast cancer cell lines

more detailed commentary on BLUEBERRIES and related research to follow later…
mm