Blueberries

Surprising Benefits of Blueberries

There is nothing quite like a bowl of fresh blueberries to snack on. The popular plump and sweet little berries are so tasty that they are sometimes referred to as nature’s candy. Blueberries have taken center stage for their vast and dynamic health benefits. From rich antioxidant properties to notable anti-inflammatory relief, blueberries are worth ensuring they land on your plate often. Historically, blueberries are one of the fruit species native to North America. In fact, Native Americans were known to revere these potent wild berries so much that they even developed folklore around them.

• Antioxidants. One unique quality of the blueberry is its significantly high antioxidant quantity—higher than any other fresh fruit, making them the queen of high-antioxidant fruits. Antioxidants are compounds found in foods that halt or slow down cellular damage by protecting the cells from damage—compounds and toxins that damage cells. Blueberries are rich in a variety of antioxidants, including anthocyanin, vitamin C, and vitamin A.
• Anti-inflammatory. Support The majority of chronic health issues that people in industrialized societies suffer from are the result of chronic inflammation in the body. Toxicity (harmful substances that you may have been exposed to through food, water, or air in your environment), chronic stress, poor dietary habits, and a sedentary lifestyle contribute to the chronic inflammation that is an underlying cause of diseases such as obesity, heart disease, and type 2 diabetes.
• Caner Prevention. The blueberry may seem like just a little sweet treat to enjoy, but this tiny berry can also protect against various forms of cancer. With its impressive nutrient profile, it is not surprising that the blueberry has some powerful healing potential and may support cancer prevention and recovery. Using blueberry extract, showed the arrest of the growth of breast cancer cells in rats. This study suggests that blueberries could be an important food to include in your diet for cancer prevention measures. The study indicates that a daily dose of approximately 4.3 ounces of blueberries, for a person weighing approximately 60 kg (130 pounds), is adequate to replicate these results.
• Urinary Tract Support. tract infections, or UTIs, affect millions of people each year and are one of the most common types of infections in women. UTIs typically occur when bad bacteria enter the urinary tract through the urethra and find their way into the bladder, where they begin to multiply There are many factors that increase the likelihood of developing a UTI, including kidney stones, sexual activity, and urine pooling in the bladder. Blueberries have been researched as a food to combat the bacteria that attaches to the urinary tract lining.
• Cardio-Protective. Heart disease is the most common cause of death worldwide. Heart disease can come with many symptoms, including shortness of breath, chest pain, or—in the event of a complete blockage in the artery—a heart attack. While there are many factors contributing to the rise of cardiovascular disease, there are a few important countermeasures to take note of. According to the American Heart Association, habits such as regular exercise, a healthy diet, and not smoking are the most important preventive measures through which to prevent heart disease.
• Macular Degeneration. Macular degeneration is a disorder of the eye that impacts the cells of the retina (specifically the macula), causing potential changes in vision. Macular degeneration is one of the leading causes of blindness in the world and is expected to keep growing by the year 2020, to approximately 40 million people worldwide. While studies show there are many contributing factors to the increasing rate of macular degeneration, such as smoking, heart disease, and an increased body mass index, diet can play a large role in the treatment and prevention of macular degeneration.
• Blood Pressure. Bring on the blueberries! By now, you are probably stocking up on these potent little hits of wonder, and that is a really smart choice for your health, your body, and your entire vascular system. One study showed that with just one cup of blueberries per day, there is a significant impact on blood pressure. The study, published in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, confirmed that this daily serving of blueberries could delay the progression of pre-hypertension, as well as lower blood pressure in those with hypertension.
• Brain Health. Eating food to fuel your brain health is imperative to improving cognitive functions such as memory while also slowing down oxidative stress, which is known to be responsible for accelerating the brain’s aging process. Blueberries may be just the brain boost you need to ensure your brain is as sharp and as healthy as possible. One study showed that in a group of 26 participants who consumed blueberry concentrate once per day (30 mL per dose) over a 12-week period, there was a measurable increase in executive function, cerebral blood flow, and memory, showing that a regular intake of blueberries does promote improved brain health. (Read more...)

Let's eat blueberries

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