Season's Pick: Berries

Summer's sweetest fare provides a highly concentrated dose of disease-fighting antioxidants.

By Janis Graham

From Reader's Digest

Images from this article

Clipart.com

Berries make cereals, salads, smoothies, and pancakes tastier -- and better for your health.

javascript:void(0);

Clipart.com

Berries make cereals, salads, smoothies, and pancakes tastier -- and better for your health.

Eat your fill of fresh strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, and raspberries. They're at their peak right now, and they're heart healthy. Adults who ate about a cup of berries a day lowered their blood pressure and raised their HDL (good) cholesterol after eight weeks, according to a new study from Finland.

Berries (fresh or frozen) are a highly concentrated source of polyphenols, disease-fighting antioxidants also found in red wine, grapes, chocolate, and nuts, says Paula Quatromoni, RD, an assistant professor of nutrition at Boston University. She tosses handfuls in cereal, salads, smoothies, and pancakes. She also likes puréed berries spiked with onions, garlic, and spices served alongside poultry and meat.

From Reader's Digest - July 2008

• Healthy Foods
• Cholesterol
• Healthy Snacks
• • Fight Disease
• Nutrition

• Berries for Better Blood Sugar
• Berries are nutrition powerhouses, and they may help keep your blood sugar in check.
• 
• Summer Fruit Salad with Lime and Mint
• Berries and cantaloupe are livened up with lime and mint in this healthy dessert.
• 
• Lemon Angel Food Cake with Strawberries
• Sweet-tart berries in orange juice are a perfect match for this heavenly cake.
• 
• Asparagus Berry Salad
• A refreshing salad perfect for those hot summer months.
• 

See All Make It Matter

• Be Inspired
• 10 Celebrities Who Give Back
• 7 Amazing Stories, $700,000 to Charity
• Virginia Cervasio: Making It Matter
• PLUS:
• Quiz: What's Your Celebrity Cause IQ?