Eat blueberries for a health boost

Blueberries – why are they considered a super healthy
food?  Growing up, I went blueberry
picking with my grandfather.  At first,
more blueberries went into my mouth than into the bucket.  Who knew I was boosting my health every time
I went blueberry picking?

Why are blueberries so healthy?  What make blueberries a power food? 

Health.com discusses the  5
Health Benefits of Blueberries, According to a Nutritionist. 

1. Antioxidants – blueberries are “blue” or
some say “purple”.  This coloring means
blueberries provide different antioxidants than other colored fruit.  Berries,
in particular, have higher antioxidant levels than other fruits.  Antioxidants are great for our health as they
help protect
our bodies and cells from damage and thus protect us from some diseases and
“protect against inflammation”.  Blueberries provide the antioxidant, anthocyanin
which lowers our risk of certain cancers, helps our memories, and promotes
healthy aging.  Interesting that wild
blueberries, the kind I picked all those years ago with my grandfather,
have higher antioxidant levels.  About twice
“the antioxidant power of ordinary blueberries…”.  But you don’t have to go out and pick
blueberries, you can buy frozen wild blueberries at your local store or buy
fresh blueberries, both are full of good antioxidants. 

Blueberries are high in antioxidants.

2. Nutrients – in addition to antioxidants,
blueberries pack in some important vitamins and minerals
including vitamin C (who knew?) and vitamin K. 
Vitamin C promotes a healthy immune system and vitamin K is needed for
blood clotting and even for healthy bones. 
And blueberries provide the mineral, manganese, which is rarely
mentioned.  Manganese helps convert the
food you eat into energy and also helps with bone development.  Blueberries are also a good source of fiber
which many Americans are low in.  Fiber
helps fill you up and may reduce your risk of heart disease.

 

3. How do blueberries help your brain?  Some people promote “brain food” but there
are foods that do seem to improve brain function and one of these foods is
blueberries. How?  One reason is those
anthocyanins as these have been found
to “help protect brain cells from damage”. 
Interesting, that berries, including blueberries, have been found to
affect the neurons
in your brain by helping to prevent their aging degeneration and help your  neurons communicate and in a good way.  Basically, blueberries promote good brain
function.

 

4. Low in calories – blueberries are low in calories,
only about 80 calories in a cup – so eat up. 
Blueberries are also low in fat and low in sodium so fit into most
people’s diets.

 

5. Healthy hearts – what can blueberries do
for your heart?  One study
found that eating a cup of blueberries a day can reduce your risk factors for
heart disease by about 15%.  May not seem
like a large amount but anything that helps stem off disease is a good thing to
add to your day.    Basically,
blueberries help keep your arteries nimble and not so stiff so easier for blood
to flow through.  Other studies have
found that blueberry eaters have a lower risk of Type 2 diabetes.  

 

The next time you see some fresh blueberries on sale, buy
some.  Or, stop by the frozen food
section and pick up some frozen wild blueberries which provided even more of
those healthy antioxidants.  For the
cooks in our audience, try some blueberry recipes from the
U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council.  They
have blueberry drink recipes, breakfast and bread recipes and many more ways to
add blueberries to your day.  Try the
Blueberry Turmeric Smoothie
for a real antioxidant boost to your day.  

Blueberry Turmeric Smoothie (modified to use real
milk and not fake milk)

• 2 cups milk
• 2 frozen bananas
• 1 cup frozen blueberries, rinsed
• ½ cup ice cubes
• 2 teaspoons minced fresh ginger
• ½ teaspoon minced fresh turmeric

Blend all ingredients until smooth.  Makes 2 glasses.  You can add some honey to sweeten.  For a nutritional boost add some chia, hemp,
or ground flax seeds.  

 

Sources:  Health
Benefits of Blueberries, According to a Nutritionist , protect
, inflammation
, anthocyanin
, wild
blueberries , twice
, vitamins
, minerals
, Fiber
, found
, neurons , calories
, study
, diabetes,
Smoothie , Blueberry
Council    Image Sources: Antioxidant
Activity , bowl
, blueberries

 

 

 

source https://betterweightloss.info/eat-blueberries-for-a-health-boost/