Benefits of Berries
Berries and their Flavonoids Protect the Heart by Dr. Furhman Berries are one of my super foods — the second B in G-BOMBS — rich in fiber and phytochemicals and low in calories, giving them the highest Aggregate Nutrient Density Index (ANDI) scores of all fruits. Blueberries , raspberries, strawberries and blackberries are vibrantly colored with antioxidant phytochemicals, and they are some of the highest antioxidant foods in existence. The deep red, blue and purple pigments of berries are produced by flavonoid antioxidant molecules called anthocyanins, which are concentrated in the skins of the fruits. 1 Flavonoids, including anthocyanins, are not merely antioxidants; they are thought to have a number of additional beneficial effects in the body that are unrelated to their antioxidant capacity. As such, several studies have shown that high flavonoid intake is associated with considerable risk reductions (up to 45%) for coronary heart disease. 2-5 Re...