Earlier this month, I blogged about how working in this industry has changed my eating and supplement habits for the better. One thing I forgot to mention in that blog is how the world of natural product retailers has encouraged my berry intake. Not that I haven’t always loved berries, but I used to not eat as many because frankly, they cost more than bananas and apples. But with all the health benefits behind raspberries, blueberries and grapes (totally a berry!), I just can’t let the cost keep them from my diet.

It’s not just this industry, either. Many media are touting the healthy qualities of berries these days. For instance, Health magazine named Wild Blueberries as number two on its list of “America’s Healthiest Superfoods for Women.”  The feature, running in the magazine’s January/February 2010 issue, singled out Wild Blueberries’ impressive variety of potential health benefits, including preventing memory loss, improving motor skills, lowering blood pressure and fighting wrinkles.

The article states: “If berries are nutritional treasures, Wild Blueberries are the crown jewels…truly one of nature’s ultimate anti-aging foods.” Health editors recommend readers mix Wild Blueberries with their daily berries servings “as much as possible” for their many health benefits, and point readers to the frozen fruit aisle of supermarkets for the healthy frozen version available every season of the year.

According to the Wild Blueberry Association of North America, the wild blue treats have a higher level of antioxidants than most other fruits and may help boost immune systems and help guard against cell damage associated with cancer, heart disease, damage from stroke, Alzheimer’s disease, and the effects of aging for both men and women.    

This is good news for me, as just last night I enjoyed a cupful along with some strawberries. And tonight, I look forward to the same dessert.