Antioxidants in Blueberries - Literature review Example

Antioxidants in Blueberries Order ID – 424116 Introduction Blueberries, as their name suggests, are berries that are dark blue in color and belong to the genus Vaccinium in the heath family (Ericeae) They are perennial flowering shrubs that are native to North America and their berries are edible and pollinated by bees who visit their flowers. Though blueberries are not very commonly grown or eaten, it has a special niche for itself among other fruits due to the properties they possess. There are different varieties of blueberries and are categorized according to their variety and compatibility. Pollination is carried out by bumblebees, honey bees and other variety of non- social native bees. Some varieties of blueberry are the Northern high bush blueberry, low bush blueberry, and different varieties of Rabbiteye blueberries. In this paper, we would be discussing about the usefulness and effectiveness of blueberries, the properties that contribute to antioxidants in blueberries and the mechanism of action involving free radicals present in them. Literature Review Antioxidants are substances that inhibit oxidation and keep our body healthy. Oxidation is a chemical process that releases free radicals which are quite harmful to us because they cause damage to cells in our body, making it weak and prone to disease. Antioxidants help to protect us by removing these free radicals that cause us damage. Antioxidants are chiefly found in plenty in raw vegetables and fruits, including blueberries. Living organisms require energy to carry out their activities and therefore to produce energy, the right diet is very essential. In this respect, Oxygen plays a major role in helping the metabolism of these dietary nutrients and supplies us with energy. Oxygen is an important factor that correlates and helps to mediate the chemical reactions that take place during the metabolism of foods such as Carbohydrates, fats, and proteins and supply the energy required by the body to carry out its daily activities. Free radicals which are brought about through cellular metabolism are quite dangerous as they serve to cause diseases such as cancer, urinary tract diseases, eye disorders and many other age- related diseases. Therefore, antioxidants, which are nature’s gift to us, helps to protect our body and prevents diseases by keeping our cells healthy. Studies have shown that blueberries rank highest in antioxidants and have manifold health benefits due to their properties. One of the chief properties of the antioxidant in blueberries is the phytochemicals present in them that help to fight against cancer. It also has the property of decreasing lipid peroxidation that could lead to cardiovascular diseases. Free Radicals and their Mechanism of Action Free radicals are potentially dangerous molecules that cause damage to the human body. Such damage by free radicals leads to diseases and chronic disorders that impact upon the quality of life of an individual. They are also responsible for damaging the cells in the human body and thereby speeding up the aging process. Free radicals also serve to attack the brain and immune system and cause it to deteriorate gradually. Diseases of the heart and Cancer are also caused by free radicals. Free radicals are brought about through Oxidation, which is a chemical process that can begin chain reactions at any time to the cells in our body. It is capable of deteriorating cells or even causing cell death which makes our body vulnerable to many diseases due to the oxidative stress. In order to counter or inhibit these chain reactions, antioxidants help by getting oxidized themselves. Therefore, antioxidants are also known as reducing agents which include ‘thiols, ascorbic acid or polyphenols.’ (Sies Helmut (1997) Though oxygen is crucial to all living beings, it also acts as a double edged sword. Since it is a very reactive atom, it has the ability to come into contact with the damaging free radicals and cause further damage to the human body. When the antioxidant levels are low or when the antioxidant enzymes are inhibited, oxidation stress occurs and may lead to cell damage brought on by free radicals that are released, and may result in disease of any kind. Free radicals are generally unstable because they have an unpaired electron and therefore, to neutralize themselves, they reach out to other substances to pick up electrons from them. This process tends to temporarily stabilize the free radical but creates one more during the process. Free radicals like hydroxyl (OH) and superoxide anion (O2) and reactive oxygen compounds like hypochiorous acid (HCIO), and hydrogen peroxide are produced in cells. (Valko M. et al, 2007) These oxidants are capable of chemical chain reactions like lipid peroxidation or oxidation and could cause the cells to deteriorate. 2- Antioxidants and the Mechanism of Action Blueberries, also referred to as the ‘Super-fruit’ are filled with phytochemicals like anthocyanin that serves to keep us healthy and slow down the process of aging. Blueberries are packed with rich and powerful antioxidants, in addition to their anti-inflammatory properties that protect our body against diseases like Alzheimer’s, diabetes, stroke, cancer and other heart and neurodegenerative diseases. The Harvard School of Public Health conducted a study, where researchers found that Blueberries major benefits came from the content of anthocyanin present in the fruit. (Cassidy Aedin, 2013) According to them, eating Blueberries on a regular basis reduced the risk of heart attacks by about 33% because the Anthocyanin served to counter the plaque build up, and open up the arteries for better blood flow in the body. Researchers also found that blueberries benefited neurological health, confirming that it had a health promoting impact on other parts of the human body. For example, researchers have given documented evidence that Blueberries had the capability of combating many eye disorders. French researchers examined the impact of blueberry extracts on pilots during World War II and the results of the study showed that the consumption of blueberry served to ‘improve nighttime visual acuity, adjustment to darkness, and recovery from glare.’ (Altern Med. Rev. 2001) In yet another study, researchers found three compounds present in blueberries and various other dark-pigmented berries that helped to ‘lower cholesterol levels.’ (Rimando AM, Kalt W, Magee JB, Dewey J, Ballington JR. 2004) Out of the 3 phytochemicals, namely, pterostilbene was responsible in stimulating the cells receptor protein which helped in reducing ‘cholesterol and other blood fats.’ (Rimando et al., 2005) Current studies by scientists have shown evidence that berries in general especially cranberries and blueberries avert urinary tract infections by preventing bacteria from impacting on the cells that line the urinary tract wall. (Zafriri D, Ofek I, Adar R, Pocino M, Sharon N. 1989) and (Ofek I, Goldhar J, Zafriri D, et al. 1991) Conclusion Blueberries have been found to be very efficacious in the prevention of so many diseases because they possess essential compounds such as anthocyanins and proanthocyanidins and consuming them in any form, still has the same benefits for good health and should be made part of our diet. Antioxidants are vital to good health because its network of enzymes protects us against oxidative stress and prevents us from contacting diseases. Research studies have proved that antioxidants help to detoxify our bodies and keep it in good health. Over the years and after a lot of research in this area, it has been proved that blueberries are packed with medicinal properties and health enhancing benefits and hence its consumption should be made an integral part of our diet to safeguard ourselves from disease and poor health. A low calorie diet, with plenty of fresh fruits such as blueberries and citrus fruits and green leafy vegetables would definitely serve to reduce oxidative stress and promote good health. References CASSIDY AEDIN, et al., Health Benefits Wild Blueberries, Wild Blueberry Research, Journal of the American Heart Association, 2013: 127: 188-196. Blueberries. Agricultural Research Service. United States Department of Agriculture. Last updated on 7th April 2009. Retrieved on June, 2013 www.ars.usda.gov/Research/docs.htm?doci MANDAL ANANYA. Dr. What are Antioxidants? News from Medical Net www.news-medical.net/health/What-are-Antioxidants.aspx No authors. Monograph. Vaccinium myrtillus (bilberry). Altern Med Rev. 2001 Oct; 6 (5):500-4. OFEK I, GOLDHAR J, ZAFRIR D, et al. Anti-Escherichia coli adhesin activity of cranberry and blueberry juices. N Engl J Med. 1991 May 30;324(22):1599. RIMANDO AM, KALT W, MAGEE JB, BALLINGTON JR.,. Resveratol, Pterostilbene and Piceatannol in vaccinium berries. Journal of Agriculture Food Chem. 2004 Jul 28;52(15):4713-9 RIMANDO AM, NAGMANI R, FELLER DR, YOKOYAMA W, Pterostilbene, a new agonist for the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha-isoform, lowers plasma lipoproteins and cholesterol in hypercholesterolemic hamsters. J Agric Food Chem. 2005 May 4;53(9):3403-7. SIES HELMUT, Oxidative Stress. Oxidants and Antioxidants, Experimental physiology, 82 (2): 291 -5 PMID. VALKO M, LEIBFRITZ, D; MONCOL J; CRONIN M; MAZUR M; TELSAR J; (2007). "Free radicals and antioxidants in normal physiological functions and human disease". The International Journal of Biochemistry & Cell Biology 39 (1): 44–84. ZAFRIR D, OFEK I, ADAR R, POCINO M, SHARON N., Inhibitory activity of cranberry juice on adherence of type 1 and type P fimbriated Escherichia coli to eucaryotic cells. Antimicrob Agents Chemother. 1989 Jan;33(1):92-8. Read More