Blueberries are deliciously sweet when eaten alone or with yogurt, and they are also among the very best fruits to consume if you want to improve your overall health. They have a positive impact on many parts of the human body, ranging from the brain to the blood. Read on to discover twelve reasons why you should add more blueberries to your diet.
1) Blueberries boost mental acuity:
Current research strongly suggests that blueberries can help you to maintain a sharp mind well into old age. Regularly eating blueberries slows the progress of Alzheimer’s disease, and it also seems to improve memory function in older people more generally. Further, studies show that those who eat blueberries on a daily basis have better motor skills and a higher learning capacity than people of the same age who do not eat blueberries.
2) They help to prevent urinary tract infections:
While cranberries usually get all the attention when it comes to preventing and treating urinary tract infections, scientists have found that blueberries also help to prevent such infections by making it harder for the bacteria to grow inside the urinary tract. Blueberries also have mild antibiotic properties, and this means that they will aid your body in fighting off disease (both in the urinary tract and elsewhere in the body).
3) They promote healthy blood pressure:
Studies on mice and other animals have shown that those who regularly eat blueberries have lower blood pressure (which also contributes to the health of the heart and blood vessels).
4) They help to preserve vision:
Scientists have found that those who take blueberry extract have slower vision loss. Blueberries appear to prevent or delay the visual problems that come with aging (such as cataracts and myopia). In addition to the antioxidants in blueberries, the zinc and phosphorous are linked to eye health. It is thought that consuming three or more portions of blueberries each day can reduce your chance of vision loss by up to 36%.
5) They can help you to lose weight
Studies on rats have shown that eating blueberries for 90 days reduces abdominal fat as well as improving fasting glucose and insulin sensitivity. In humans, another study has shown that men with heart disease risk factors have better glucose and insulin control after 21 days of drinking blueberry juice each day.
6) They reduce the risk of developing certain cancers:
One study showed that the phytochemicals contained in blueberries had a dramatic impact on breast cancer. In some patients, these chemicals stopped the spread and tumor growth of one of the worst and most frighteningly dangerous forms of breast cancer. In addition, women who eat fruits containing flavone luteolin are around 34% less likely to develop ovarian cancer.
7) They help to prevent constipation:
The fiber in blueberries helps to keep the digestive system healthy and prevent constipation. It is also thought that the sodium, copper and vitamins in blueberries improve digestion more generally.
8) They lower your cholesterol levels:
Studies on mice have revealed that blueberries contain a compound capable of lowering ‘bad’ cholesterol just as much as drug treatments do. This is particularly good news given the negative side effects of some drugs that are usually used to treat high cholesterol.
9) They help to reduce inflammation levels:
The antioxidants and phytochemicals found in blueberries have been shown to reduce inflammation. This makes blueberries an ideal snack for people suffering from inflammatory diseases such as asthma, arthritis and ulcerative colitis.
10) They strengthen your immune system
The iron in blueberries gives you a stronger immune system by raising the amount of hemoglobin in the blood (which transports oxygen). Blueberries also contain copper, which aids the immune system and helps to fight bacteria. If you eat plenty of blueberries, then, you are less likely to catch annoying viruses and bacterial infections.
11) They may help with weight loss:
Blueberries make a perfect snack when you are trying to lose weight, as they contain less sugar than the average serving of fruit. In addition, one serving of blueberries is just ninety calories.
12) They help people suffering from hepatitis C:
Blueberry leaves contain a particular chemical that can significantly slow the progression of hepatitis C in people who are infected with the disease.
As is obvious from the above health benefits, blueberries are a great choice if you want to increase your daily intake of fruits and vegetables. Finally, when you are buying blueberries, remember to select the ones that are firm to the touch, undamaged, and brightly colored.
