Lutein & Bilberry

Lutein acts as an antioxidant, protecting cells against the damaging effects of free radicals. Lutein is not made in the body and therefore, must be obtained from food or vitamin supplements. How much lutein is enough? Nutrition experts currently use 6 milligrams a day as a reliable guideline. How much is 6 milligrams? A good example is a large bowl of spinach salad.

Bilberries (Vaccinium myrtillusare) are rich in flavonoids - antioxidant nutrients which help to protect the body's cells from damage by excess free radicals. The bilberry is famous for its strong colouring properties, it turns the tongue a lovely dark purple! But this colouring substance also has a useful purpose, the discolouration is caused by the chemical anthocyanins - a potent flavanone.

Compared to the other berries, bilberries are particularly rich in this substance. Anthocyanins are widely distributed among fruits, vegetables and flowers and each plant contains its own fingerprint of Anthocyanins. Anthocyanins belong to a group of plant compounds called flavonoids. Flavonoids are a subclass of plant polyphenols that may have antioxidant abilities and are being studied for their anticancer potential. They are currently being studied for their ability to inhibit LDL ("bad") cholesterol, prevent blood clotting, and defence cells against dangerous carcinogens. Anthocyanins may prove to be significant compounds in human health. Quercetin is another type of flavonoid and serves as a building block for other members of the flavonoid family. Quercetin is a pigment found in plants such as bilberries, loganberries, apples, black currants, also in tea and red wine. It is also an antioxidant.