Blueberries

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As you probably already know and see by the color of our kombucha, the fruit Purely Living uses is raw and cold-pressed to retain antioxidants and nutrition value. According to the National Cancer Institute, ​"Antioxidants are chemicals that interact with and neutralize free radicals, thus preventing them from causing damage. Antioxidants are also known as 'free radical scavengers.'” (1) A 2008 study by Cornell University, measured cellular antioxidant activity (CAA) “The objective of the study was to determine the cellular antioxidant activity, total phenolic contents, and oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) values of 25 fruits commonly consumed in the United States. Pomegranate and berries (wild blueberry, blackberry, raspberry, and blueberry) had the highest CAA values, . . . Apples were found to be the largest contributors of fruit phenolics to the American diet, and apple and strawberries were the biggest suppliers of cellular antioxidant activity.” (2) Our naturally colorful kombucha reveals the antioxidants it retains. Medical News Today states that “Blueberries contain a type of flavonoid known as anthocyanins, which are responsible for giving foods like blueberries, cranberries, red cabbage and eggplants their iconic deep red, purple and blue hues. Anthocyanins are responsible for more than just the blueberry's pretty blue color - they also contribute to the popular fruit's numerous health benefits.” (3)

Keeping the fruit raw in our kombucha is vital. According to whfoods.org, “We recommend enjoying raw blueberries — rather than relying upon blueberries incorporated into baked desserts — because, like other fruits, raw blueberries provide you with the best flavor and the greatest nutritional benefits.” (4)

  1. National Cancer Institute, http://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/causes-prevention/risk/diet/antioxidants-fact-sheet

  2. Department of Food Science and Institute of Comparative and Environmental Toxicology, Cornell University http://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/jf801381y

  3. Medical News Today, http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/287710.php

  4. The World's Healthiest Foods, http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=8