Dear Marcel,

Substantial research reports on pharmacological and clinical studies of blueberries are available online. You can find some paper at the following threads:-

 http://jn.nutrition.org/content/140/10/1764.shorthttp://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3068482/

http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s003300051035

http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/ar/archive/may11/fruit0511.pdf

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17321025

http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1211/jpp.59.4.0015/abstract http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0166432808006232

http://www.webmd.boots.com/diabetes/news/20100920/blueberries-may-help-improve-insulin-sensitivity

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8948058

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10909999

Amazing benefits of blueberries (see link)

http://www.health.com/health/gallery/0,,20306607,00.html

Blueberries contain chemicals called antioxidants that have been linked to lowering cholesterol levels, encouraging heart health, and protecting the body against certain types of cancers. Blueberries contain the phytosterol, pterostilbene, which is similar to resveratrol, another antioxidant found in grapes and red wine

http://cholesterol.about.com/od/cholesterolnutrition101/a/blueberries.htm

Anyway, birds eat them without exactly knowing the extact link with health benefits. They just like the taste and feel the body feeling consequences of consuming these berries, or not?

Dear Marcel and Krishnan: There are some fruits which are poisonous. How do the birds detect them?

Selection of food might have a genetic basis, or not? What is poisonous for some is not for others?

I don´t know it for birds, but many animals (mammalia) learn what to eat and what to avoid by example from the adults around. And I would expect the same behaviour for birds.

There are choice experiments where animals can make a choice between different food types/items in standardized conditions. It is an easy way to test the genetic and experienced basis of food choice within versus across species

Dear friends - Once we took a boat ride along a sea resort in Kerala, India, and the boatman took us to many places in that resort. On the way, I saw some small tree with a lot of fruits, and I was about to eat some fruits as the boat was slowly cruising along the sea resort. Then the boatman stopped me saying, "stop - they are poisonous!". But by appearance or smell, I could not detect poison content in those fruits. So I asked this query - thanks!

Dear Marcel,

what were the results of such tests? Genetics or experience?

For discussion:

Pregnant women switch to other food preferences, or not?

What is the relationship between hormones and food preferences, e.g. changes in day-length might induce changes in hormone levels therefore changing food preferences? 

Dear Marcel,

the main influence is not the light controlled hormon status, it´s the pregnancy which does the job.

Dear Hanno,

But it shows that hormones change 'taste' and it is known that light can influence hormone titters.... As discussed before, seasonal changes in day length influence food storing in birds (and other vertebrates), so why should a photosensitive mechanism influencing taste for food not exist?

Dear Marcel,

why should light change or how should light change or why should darkness change. I need some realistic arguments.

In birds changes in daylight are predictors of future environmental conditions. Neuro-physiological responses to changes in day length will prepare the body to anticipate these future environmental conditions also reflected in the types of food that will be necessary for optimal functioning.  I therefore do not exclude that attractiveness to food-related colors may express seasonal variation.

Blueberries contain health-promoting phytochemicals such as anthocyanins and phenolics associated with antioxidant and anti-aging benefits. Boosting the level of Blueberries in a low-fat diet helps lower the risk of some cancers and may promote urinary tract health, improved memory function, and healthy aging. Research on blueberry antioxidants and their potential benefits for the nervous system and for brain health, there is exciting new evidence that blueberries can improve memory and may also turn out to be beneficial slowing down or postponing the onset of other cognitive problems frequently associated with aging.

Dear Yogesh,

How has this been scientifically tested? Can you send a published scientific study in an international journal, please?

Dear Marcel,

Substantial research reports on pharmacological and clinical studies of blueberries are available online. You can find some paper at the following threads:-

 http://jn.nutrition.org/content/140/10/1764.shorthttp://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3068482/

http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s003300051035

http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/ar/archive/may11/fruit0511.pdf

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17321025

http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1211/jpp.59.4.0015/abstract http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0166432808006232

http://www.webmd.boots.com/diabetes/news/20100920/blueberries-may-help-improve-insulin-sensitivity

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8948058

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10909999

Dear Yogesh,

Berries are cocktails of chemicals, not isolated chemicals!

67% of people who drank a blueberry smoothie twice a day for six weeks experienced a 10% or greater improvement in their insulin sensitivity, compared with 41% of people in the placebo smoothie group. The study results are published in the October issue of The Journal of Nutrition.

Blueberry smoothies did not have an effect on the participants’ overall biomarker profile, meaning that blood pressure and cholesterol levels did not change nor differ between the two groups at the end of the study. The participants did not lose or gain weight during the study, either. However, the effect of drinking blueberry smoothies on insulin sensitivity was far more pronounced.

I like this study because it seems also to control for other food habits

Cheers

Dear Marcel,

that´s why I love them without any analysis before consuming the fruits.

http://www.aztecnm.gov/senior-community/NutritionFacts.pdf

http://www.lsuagcenter.com/~/media/system/3/3/6/e/336e4964dfcc07f06ec031c6da380826/pub3141blueberrylowres.pdf

Blueberries contain the highest quantity of antioxidants out of all common fruits and vegetables. They contain flavonoids, a type of polyphenol that is responsible for preventing the early signs of aging and protecting overall health. Being fiber-rich, these berries help increase satiety and prevent overeating. The antioxidants present in these berries have been linked to reduced LDL Blueberries can also help treat and prevent infections. The active substances present in the berries are believed to have the ability to combat E. coli bacteria and prevent it from damaging the urinary bladder. Consuming these berries may even contribute to muscle performance and may help repair the damage and minimize the soreness. Vitamin K, magnesium, calcium, iron, phosphorous, zinc, and manganese contained in these berries help build and maintain strong bones.

Blueberries are rich source of antioxidant flavonoids, dietary fiber, trace elements, and vitamins. Their consumption boosts immune system of body, reduces risk of neurodegenerative diseases, prevents many types of cancer, promotes cardiovascular health, improves ocular health and reduces risk of urinary tract infection.

Article Blueberry as functional food and dietary supplement: The nat...

Blueberries are also rich in anthocyanins which may help prevent the free-radical damage associated with cancer and protect lungs as one get older. Bioactive compounds found in blueberries improve insulin sensitivity.