PORTLAND, Maine (May 16, 2006) — New research from the National Institute on Aging (NIA) demonstrates that natural compounds available in Wild Blueberries increased lifespan and slowed aging-related declines in a whole organism. Working with elegans, an invertebrate model of microscopic-sized worms in a family called nematodes, the study examined the effects of Wild Blueberry polyphenols on lifespan and aging (Aging Cell, 5(1): 59-68, February 2006).

According to the study published by Mark Wilson, MS and collaborators, “This is a significant finding that lends support to previous experiments on cultured cells or short-term rodent studies showing beneficial effects in aging-related declines and stress resistance...and thus represents a significant advance in the study of the biological effects of natural compounds.” Nematodes represent a common in vivo model for studying aging and longevity. Certain aspects of aging are similar between nematodes and mammals, including humans. There is evidence that Wild Blueberry compounds may impact cell signaling and gene expression working beyond their direct antioxidant effect by reducing stress signals. Cellular stress and inflammation are related to many diseases of aging including heart disease, cancer and neurodegenerative diseases.

Researcher collaborators include Catherine Wolkow, Ph.D, who was the principal investigator of the study, and Donald Ingram, Ph.D., from the NIA, James Joseph, Ph.D. and Barbara Shukitt-Hale, Ph.D., USDA-ARS Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging, and Wilhelmina Kalt, Ph.D., Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada.

“Investigation into the preventative effect of food compounds like those found in blueberries is accelerating,” said Susan Davis, MS, RD, Nutrition Advisor to the Wild Blueberry Association of North America. According to Davis, oxidative stress and inflammation are related to most diseases of aging. “If a healthy diet containing adequate amounts of fruits, vegetables and other wholesome foods can actually prevent or forestall the development of oxidative stress and inflammation, it is possible that this would result in a decrease in the incidence of or delay in the onset for many diseases such as cardiovascular disease, certain cancers, macular degeneration and cataracts, Alzheimer’s and other neurodegenerative diseases.”

Davis noted that USDA research findings using the Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity (ORAC) measure ranked Wild Blueberries highest in antioxidant capacity per serving compared with more than 20 other fruits. The study showed that a one-cup serving of Wild Blueberries had more antioxidant capacity than a serving of cranberries, strawberries, raspberries, apples and even cultivated blueberries. (Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 52:4026-4037, 2004.)

Antioxidants are important because of their ability to protect against oxidative cell damage although Davis points out that the mechanisms responsible for that protection are still under investigation. Wild Blueberries are concentrated sources of protective natural compounds that have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects and should be included in every diet for optimal health and wellness.

WBANA
WBANA is a trade association of growers and processors of Wild Blueberries from Maine, dedicated to bringing the Wild Blueberry health story and unique Wild Advantages to consumers worldwide.

SOURCE: Wild Blueberry Association of North America
CONTACTS: John Sauvé, Wild Blueberry Association of North America, (207) 967-5024 or Susan Till, SWARDLICK MARKETING GROUP, (207) 775-4100.