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Blueberry Seed Oil

 

Blueberry bushes are perennial shrubs with indigo colored fruit measuring roughly 10mm in diameter. They are native to North America, especially colder regions like Michigan and Maine, which account for the majority of commercial blueberry production in the US. Medicinally, there are extensive reports that consumption of blueberries (and cranberries, which are closely related) may prevent or reverse cognitive decline in Alzheimer's patients. In fact, several hallmarks of brain aging have been shown to slow down or reverse in the scientific literature in relation to blueberry consumption. For instance, feeding blueberries to animals lowers brain damage in experimental stroke and several studies show that blueberries eaten by healthy individuals may improve memory and overall mental acuity. Other studies have found that blueberries eaten on a regular basis may lower cholesterol and total blood lipid levels and can alter glycosaminoglycan levels, which are vascular cell components affecting blood pressure.

 

Blueberries contain a wide spectrum of phytonutrients in high concentration, particularly manganese, vitamin B6, vitamin C, and vitamin K. Especially interesting to anti-aging researchers is the anthocyanins that give blueberries their deep blue hue. These antioxidant pigments are the subject of much research as they are believed to be responsible for the potent anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties of this fruit. The berries also contain pterostilbene, proanthocyanidins, resveratrol, flavonols, and tannins that have been subject to ongoing research for their anti-aging properties (particularly resveratrol and pterostilbene, which have been shown in some studies to extend cellular lifespan dramatically through activating longevity genes that are otherwise only switched on during periods of caloric restriction).

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