The Midwest’s ‘fruit
basket’
Lake Michigan influences the climate of
far western lower Michigan making it ideal for fruit
production. This area has become one of the most important
fruit growing regions in hte United States. The westerly winds
cross Lake Michigan and give the area a climate that is perfect
for growing apples, grapes, pears, peaches, blueberries and
more.
Blueberry Facts
Blueberries will reduce “bad”
cholesterol build-up. University
of California at Davis has a team of scientists who have been
doing research that shows that blueberries may reduce
“bad” cholesterol. This will help in lowering the
chances if cardiovascular disease and stroke. Antitoxidants in
blueberries are attributed.
Blueberries reduce the effects of eye
strain. Dr.
Ronald L. Prior, the director of USDA studies at Tuft
University, attributes improved eyesight as another possible
health benefit of blueberries. Dr. Prior is planning to study
the ability of blueberries to prevent macular degeneration,
which is a disease of the retina that causes blindness in many
people over the age of 65.
Blueberries improve urinary tract health. Rutgers University in New Jersey
researchers believe a compound found in blueberries reduces
infection risk and promotes urinary tract health. Apparently,
the compound prevents bacteria from adhering to the cell walls
of the urinary tract.
Blueberries help reverse short-term memory
loss & the effects of aging. Dr. James Joseph, chief of the neuroscience
laboratory at Tufts University, put laboratory rats on a
blueberry-rich diet. He discovered that this slowed age-related
loss of mental capacity.
Dr. Joseph and his staff dicovered that
older rats that had been fed the equivalent of one cup of
blueberries per day were actually more coordinated. In fact,
they were smarter than rats at the same age that had been fed a
regular diet.
Joseph believes that this research has the
potential to reverse short-term memory loss and could very
likely slow many other effects of aging!
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