Although most edible berries are known to have some nutritional value, blueberries are outstandingly healthful. Whether you grow them on a farm, your backyard, or you pick them up at your local market, blueberries can have tremendous health benefits if they are a regular part of your diet.
1. Combat Aging
Blueberries contain useful antioxidants. These antioxidants delay the aging process by reversing the cell damage caused by free radicals and toxins. A body that is free of toxins and free radicals can effectively defend itself against pathogens. Apart from antioxidants, the berries also contain proanthocyanidins which have great anti-aging properties. Those awfully expensive anti-aging creams on TV commercials are nothing compared to blueberries!
2. Boost the Brain
Blueberries contain gallic acid which has many neuro-protective agents. According a research conducted by an Iranian team of medical experts, these properties prevent brain degeneration, oxidative stress, and neurotoxicity. The study is further corroborated by the fact that other foods that have high amounts of gallic acid have been linked to enhanced brain power. Such foods include cashews, plums, green tea, and blackberries. Scientists also believe that the antioxidants in blueberries reduce inflammation and oxidative stress leading to slowed cognitive decline. Parents should therefore include these fruits in their children’s diet as a way of boosting their mental growth.
3. Fight Cancer
Further, credible clinical studies have found that blueberries help fight cancer. This is because blueberries have a wide range of anti-cancer antioxidants that restore malignant cells. The same studies found that women who consumed blueberries had lower predisposition to cancer. This gives everyone a reason to eat blueberries or their products regularly.
4. Support Digestion
Since blueberries contain both soluble and insoluble fiber, they can help regulate the gastrointestinal tract if regularly consumed. They also boost the proliferation of useful bacteria while deterring that of harmful ones. With the presence of good bacteria in the colon, digestion effectively happens. Proper digestion reduces chances of constipation, indigestion, among other common digestive disorders. As such, you should consider eating blueberries if your stomach experiences problems after eating certain foods – especially those that have a natural resistance to certain foods.
5. Promote Heart Health
Statistics show that most deaths are caused by heart attack. Therefore, the findings that blueberries promote heart health ought to be great news to many people out there. Several medical studies have concluded that regular consumption of both blueberries and strawberries reduced one’s chances of heart attack by about 33%. The research was done on 93,000 women aged between 25 and 42 years. The most striking aspect of this study is that the same benefits were not observed in other type of foods rich in antioxidants. Blueberries also lower blood cholesterol naturally, effectively reducing the possibility of congested vessels.
6. Healthier Skin
With so many false cosmetic joining the already crowded market every other week, the fact that blueberries can naturally rejuvenate the skin should give you a reason to smile. You now do not need to waste your hard-earned money on non-working concoctions that are being peddled by money-minded hucksters. You just need to eat ample amounts of blueberries regularly. Blueberries contain a substance called resveratrol. The substance contains a wide range of vitamins and minerals that naturally prevents acne by restoring the body’s normal hormone balance. As such, blueberries make for an effective home remedy for acne and other skin-related health problems. Resveratrol also improves your vision and treats macular degeneration. Resveratrol is known to both prevent and cure nearly all skin complications caused by hormonal imbalance.
7. Aid Weight Loss
Weight loss is one of the most talked about health topics of the 21st century. However, most people still have weight gain issues despite the widespread information about how to combat the problem. If you are among the many people who have tried every weight loss method without success, then you should try blueberries. Blueberries are some of the low glycemic foods that stay in the digestive tract for a long time. This is because such foods take a bit longer to be absorbed into the body. These foods make one feel full for a long time, naturally precluding the need to eat often. They control appetite and postpone hunger cues.
Whether you eat them or you juice your blueberries, adding this little powerhouse of a fruit can have an amazing positive impact on your overall health.