A favorite in our house,and we are waiting to see if our two bushes produce any fruit on their own this year. I have been feeding them coffee like mad (sounds crazy but they love acidic soil, and unfortunately for my stomach, coffee is acidic. sigh) They are incredibly stubborn and hard to grow, so I am not holding my breath that they bear fruit this year. I have yet to hear someone who has grown them in our area successfully. But at least they have gorgeous red leaves in the fall. Also, I am ignoring the fact that blueberries are better than red wine when it concerns the antioxidants. Not..true…in…my…world. *trots off to find a glass o’ red*
From WH Foods:
An Antioxidant Powerhouse
Packed with antioxidant phytonutrients called anthocyanidins, blueberries neutralize free radical damage to the collagen matrix of cells and tissues that can lead to cataracts, glaucoma, varicose veins, hemorrhoids, peptic ulcers, heart disease and cancer. Anthocyanins, the blue-red pigments found in blueberries, improve the integrity of support structures in the veins and entire vascular system. Anthocyanins have been shown to enhance the effects of vitamin C, improve capillary integrity, and stabilize the collagen matrix (the ground substance of all body tissues). They work their protective magic by preventing free-radical damage, inhibiting enzymes from cleaving the collagen matrix, and directly cross-linking with collagen fibers to form a more stable collagen matrix.
Cardioprotective Action
While wine, particularly red wine, is touted as cardioprotective since it is a good source of antioxidant anthocyanins, a recent study found that blueberries deliver 38% more of these free radical fighters. In this study, published in the Journal of Agriculture and Food Chemistry, researchers found that a moderate drink (about 4 ounces) of white wine contained .47 mmol of free radical absorbing antioxidants, red wine provided 2.04 mmol, and a wine made from highbush blueberries delivered 2.42 mmol of these protective plant compounds.