BAR HARBOR, Maine (September 14, 1999) -- According to a USDA study to be published in the September 15 issue of the Journal of Neuroscience, a diet rich in blueberry extract reversed some loss of balance and coordination, and improved short-term memory in aging rats. Ranked #1 among fresh or frozen fruits and vegetables in antioxidant power, blueberries are being studied more closely by researchers for their documented anti-aging potential. This particular USDA study is the first to actually demonstrate a reversal in dysfunctions of behavior, going farther than earlier studies which linked high-antioxidant fruits and vegetables to prevention of function loss only.

"This is a research breakthrough," says John Sauvé, Executive Director of the Wild Blueberry Association of North America (WBANA) in reaction to the release of the USDA study. "With the graying of America being one of the most significant health discussions today, this type of research goes a long way toward helping us understand the importance of fruits and vegetables in the anti-aging equation," says Sauvé. "With consumer interest focused on eating foods that help prevent disease, blueberries are now in the spotlight as a 'good for you food," added Sauv&eacute. "For great taste, antioxidant power, and potential anti-aging benefits, there's no better choice than a daily dose of Wild Blueberries. I expect that the demand for frozen Wild Blueberries and Wild Blueberry products will increase in supermarkets across the country."

Anti-Aging Properties Explored
Dr. James Joseph, Chief of the neuroscience laboratory at the Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Center (HNRCA) on Aging at Tufts University, and Barbara Shukitt-Hale, a psychologist with the HNRCA, fed blueberry, strawberry or spinach extract to 19 month-old rats, age-equivalent to 65 or 70 year-old humans. According to the study, all three extracts improved short-term memory, but only blueberry extract improved balance and coordination.

In the Tufts trials, Dr. Joseph and his colleagues fed aged rats a blueberry extract for two months and saw improved navigation skills in mazes as well as improvements in balance, coordination and running speed. According to Joseph, as rats age, they typically forget how to maneuver through mazes that they previously had learned to navigate. "I'm struck by the changes we saw in motor behavior in the rats fed the blueberry diet. This is the first study that demonstrates a significant reversal in coordination and balance -- some of the first things to go as you age," says Joseph.

According to Dr. Joseph, the blueberry has emerged as a very powerful food in the aging battle. "I make a point of tossing a handful of blueberries into a protein drink in the morning to start the day off right," says Joseph. "Given the possibility that blueberries may reverse short-term memory loss and forestall other effects of aging, their potential may be very great," added Joseph.

Ongoing research will focus on identifying the specific compounds responsible for blueberries' beneficial effects. While the rats ate blueberry extract, researchers are interested in finding out more about the whole fruit which may contain even more benefits. "We're excited about what we may discover," says Shukitt-Hale. "From what we've seen with blueberries so far, they appear to be very powerful and a key component of a healthy diet."

Nature's Antioxidant Powerhouse
Studies conducted by Ronald L. Prior, Ph.D, at the Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Center on Aging at Tufts University, ranked blueberries number one in antioxidant activity when compared with 40 other commercially available fruits and vegetables. (Source: Journal of Agriculture and Food Chemistry, 44:701-705; 3426-3343, 1996; 46:2686-2693, 1998)

Antioxidants are natural substances found in fruits and vegetables which neutralize free radicals -- unstable oxygen molecules associated with cancer, heart disease and the effects of aging.

Scientists attribute these benefits to anthocyanins and other natural compounds (phytochemicals) found in Wild Blueberries. Anthocyanins (from two Greek words meaning "plant" and "blue") are responsible for the intense blue and red pigments of fruits like Wild Blueberries.

"One-half cup of blueberries delivers as much antioxidant power as 5 servings of other fruits and vegetables -- such as peas, carrots, apples, squash and broccoli," says Dr. Prior. "While variety is still the key to a healthy diet, I'm eating blueberries regularly."

Nature's Tastiest Way To Get Your Antioxidants
Wild Blueberries, which are commercially harvested only in Maine and Eastern Canada, are available year-round. According to WBANA's Sauvé, one-half cup of Wild Blueberries equals one serving under the 5-A-Day guidelines. "For great taste and convenience, we encourage consumers to choose frozen Wild Blueberries to get their Daily Dose of Blue, and help meet the 5-A-Day goal for healthy eating," says Sauv&eacute.

With the U.S. Food and Drug Administration finding frozen fruit equal to, or, in some cases, surpassing fresh fruit from a health and nutrition standpoint, WBANA anticipates the retail frozen fruit business to represent a growth opportunity for the industry.

WBANA is an international trade association of growers and processors of Wild Blueberries from Maine and Canada.

SOURCE: Wild Blueberry Association of North America

CONTACTS: John Sauvé, Wild Blueberry Association of North America,
(207) 288-2655 or Susan Till, SWARDLICK MARKETING GROUP,
(207) 775-4100.