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Blueberry crops have been steadily increasing, which means the
blueberry industry will face an inevitable glut of the fruit if
consumers do not eat more of them. Promotion of the fruit may be
easy, as animal studies have found that blueberries may reverse
age-related memory loss and other studies have found that blueberries
contain many health-promoting antioxidants.
In one study, which is partly funded by the blueberry industry,
the fruit is even being added to hamburgers and chickenburgers to
improve the taste of reheated meat. Wild blueberry milk, blueberry
beer and blueberry face cream are also being developed.
Blueberries are associated with numerous health benefits including
protection against urinary-tract infections, cancer, age-related
health conditions, hearth disease and brain damage from strokes,
yet current per capita consumption is just four cups a year, an
amount that is just one-sixth the amount of strawberries consumed.
In a previous study on lab rats, old rats fed a diet rich in blueberries
grew neurons, which means the blueberries may play a role in reversing
age-related short-term memory loss. While the results haven’t
been replicated in human trials, another study on lab rats is further
investigating the effects of blueberries.
The
Wall Street Journal April 23, 2003
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