The health benefits of blueberries are amazing in their entirety, leading this wonderful berry to be categorised as a “superfood”.
This particular fruit in addition to being incredibly nutritious, is delicious, particularly versatile and low in calories.
Blueberries, because of their rich content of essential nutrients and antioxidants, plays a role in the prevention of a number of debilitating diseases (see below).
For these reasons blueberries may be truly considered a valuable addition to nature’s pharmacy – infinitely preferable to the misery and expense of Big Pharma’s toxic chemicals.
The health benefits of blueberries – what are they?
Here we’ll run through the specific health benefits of blueberries – these are numerous and include the following:
Blueberries carry a high concentration of certain nutrients
Blueberries are amongst the most exceptionally nutrient-dense berries. Data sources have shown that a 150g portion of blueberries contains the following:
• Fibre – 3.6g
• Vitamin C – 16% of RDA
• Vitamin K = 24% of RDA
• Manganese – 22% of RDA
• Carbohydrate = 21.5g
Amazingly, given the nutrient dense nature of blueberries, this size portion only contains a modest 84 calories!
Blueberries have exceptionally high levels of antioxidants
A healthy intake of antioxidants is essential to neutralise unstable “free radicals” – formed as a by-product of metabolic function. Free radicals are capable of damaging the body’s cells and genetic material (DNA) which may contribute to aging and degenerative diseases such as cancer.
Blueberries are perfect to provide this particular intake – studies have shown that this wonderful berry contains one of the most impressive levels of antioxidants of all vegetables and fruit.
The most significant antioxidants contained within blueberries are flavonoids (polyphenol antioxidants) – specifically anthocyanin us considered to be responsible for many of the health benefits of blueberries.
Blueberries prevent blood cholesterol becoming oxidised
The antioxidant activity of blueberries is not limited to protection against degenerative diseases and aging – antioxidants, such as anthocyanin protect against the oxidation of “bad” LDL-cholesterol.
Studies have shown that this oxidation process is integral to the onset of heart disease and the effect of the antioxidants within blueberries is to protect your heart.
Blueberries may help prevent heart disease
Eating blueberries has been proven to lower blood pressure and the amount of damaging oxidised “bad” LDL-cholesterol (see above) – these are both significant known risk factors for the development of cardiovascular disease. These effects are linked to the high concentration of the antioxidant anthocyanin with blueberries.
Health benefits of blueberries – the prevention of type 2 diabetes
Blueberries provide moderate amounts of sugar compared to other fruits, this being fare more than offset by its bioactive components.
Research has shown that the antioxidant anthocyanins in blueberries have a positive influence on glucose metabolism and insulin sensitivity.
These anti-diabetic effects significantly reduce the risk of developing metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes – therefore eliminating the misery of the negative health consequences (with the necessity for toxic pharmaceuticals) of these appalling disorders.
For delicious ways to enjoy the benefits of this wonderful berry we thoroughly recommend the have a plant website page Top 10 Ways to Enjoy Blueberries. Do try some of their ideas and enjoy!
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