Feeling good due to blueberries

I'm feeling good and I was wondering why.  That may seem strange to most of you, but I'm manic-depressive and most of the time I just feel OK.  I'm used to feeling OK.  I start wondering what's going on when I don't feel OK. 

My meds haven't changed in over a year and there's been little difference in my lack of activity nor my environment.  The only thing I can attribute it to is blueberries.  I LOVE blueberries and I go right down to a local farm and buy them by the 10 lb box.  This coming week I'm going to buy 10 lbs on Tues and split them with my buddy.  On Saturday I'm going to buy 20 lbs for my family who I'll be seeing next weekend.

This year I have to limit myself to how many I can eat per day to balance against my blood thinners.  So, I'm having a pint per day which is far less than I used to eat in years past.  I don't know of any studies about blueberries and moods.  I just know that I feel better when I have them.  I do know they have a lot of other good healthy values.

Blueberries are supposed to be super awesome for antioxidant activity.

http://www.blueberry.org/health.htm

 

Thanks for the quick response and the helpful info.

Interesting research you provided specifically this:

He found that the blueberry-fed mice performed better than their control group counterparts in motor behavioral learning and memory, and he noticed an increase in exploratory behavior. When he examined their brains, he found a marked decrease in oxidative stress in two regions of the brain and better retention of signal-transmitting neurons compared with the control mice.

Don't know what the flip it means but it appears the mice who ate blueberries were less stressed-out than their non-blueberry eatin' bro's!

Boner

Hey SJ,

Blueberries are a true super food and I'd eat them every day too but they're pretty expensive for my miser budget. When I find them on sale, I buy up a bunch and freeze them. They taste just as good after they've been frozen and they maintain all their nutrional benefits.

I never heard about improved mood impact but makes sense....when you feel good physically, you feel good emotionally.

Boner

Right now blueberries are the only fruit I'm eating, I'm going real slow with adding fruit to my diet. I'm still having trouble getting in all my protein, but I find I can still snack on some berries.I think they make me feel better because they are there the basically the only sweet things in my diet. But whatever the cause or reason, I also feel better eating blueberries.
I just got some on sale, a box of 6 pints for $5.99 and bought 2 boxes. I put 1 pint in a zip lock bag and put them in the freezer.

"This coming week I'm going to buy 10 lbs on Tues and split them with my buddy."

 

That must be tedius work.  Do you ever split peas? 

 Freddie, SJ may have given you an idea to pass your time post-WLS since you're gonna have some extra time on your hands in a couple days. Best of luck with your WLS.

Boner

Thanks, Boner, I appreciate it.  I had an EKG, blood tests and a pharmacy consult today.  Tomorrow is a "class" and the final surgery consultation.  Wednesday is the big day! 

Glad your feeling better my friend. Hope it continues