According to the Heart & Stroke Foundation, up to 80 percent of premature heart disease and strokes can be prevented through your life habits — such as eating a healthy diet and being physically active. One way to start improving your heart health is to increase your intake of fruit and vegetables.
The BC Blueberry Council is proud to offer a plethora of heart-healthy recipe ideas on its website. From blueberry smoothie ideas like the popular Blueberry Pineapple Ginger Smoothie to the Blueberry Super Food Salad, blueberries (fresh or frozen) are an excellent pairing for vegetarian fare—even for savoury dishes like the Black Bean Veggie Burger with Blueberries.
“We believe you can’t go wrong eating blueberries as they continue to be one of the best choices to include in a healthy diet,” says Anju Gill, executive director of the BC Blueberry Council. “Because of their high antioxidant levels, blueberries are considered one of the leading super fruits by researchers in North America, who keep finding more and more health benefits from this tasty berry.”
A 125 mL (1/2 cup) serving of blueberries is all it takes to make up one of the 7 to 10 daily servings of fruits and vegetables (for adults) recommended by the Canadian Food Guide.
With over 80 years of blueberry-growing experience, the BC Blueberry Council represents over 600 highbush growers. Combined, these growers have more than 11,000 hectares (27,000 acres) of highbush blueberries planted in order to meet growing demand. The BC Blueberry Council has a strong commitment to on-farm food safety and works diligently with blueberry grows, packers and processors to ensure that BC blueberries meet the highest standards for food safety and quality.
For more information:
Diana Barkley
BC Blueberry Council
Tel: +1 (604) 614-6624