A balanced diet is key to maintaining overall wellness. Therefore, it’s important to get your daily dose of fruit and vegetables. A superfood with numerous benefits is the blueberry. They may be small, but a cup of blueberries pack a nutritious punch.
If you’re wondering why you should consider eating a cup of blueberries everyday, here’s a list of ways they boost your health.
Read More » 1. They’re full of antioxidants.
Antioxidants are beneficial for a variety of reasons. For one, antioxidant-rich foods minimize the probability of certain diseases by eliminating free radicals. They also reduce cell damage caused by the oxidation process. Wild blueberries have a higher antioxidant content than farmed and commercial brand blueberries.
Eating blueberries everyday protects against multiple conditions, including premature aging, cancer, and mild cognitive impairment. If you can’t access wild blueberries, you can still get a great amount of antioxidants from the blueberries at your local grocery store.
2. They’re a great workout food.
If meeting your fitness goals was on your New Year’s resolution list, eating blueberries will help you accomplish that. Blueberries have both carbohydrates and sugar, which give you enough fuel to power through a workout. They also contain glycogen, which acts as a fuel source for muscles during a workout. Glycogen combined with a high potassium content provide enough energy and cardiovascular endurance to power through long, intense workouts.
3. They keep you healthy during the cold and flu season.
Based on the blueberry’s vitamin content, it’s wise to eat them year round. They’re especially beneficial during cold and flu season. Blueberries have vitamin A and C, which boost the immune system. Vitamin C reduces inflammation, as well as raises phagocyte activity. Phagocytes are immune cells that ingest bacteria and other harmful particles that make you sick.
Vitamin A boosts the immune system by keeping mucus production under control. In fact, researchers suggest that adequate amounts of vitamin A help the immune system forget past health conditions. Eating a cup a day lowers your chances of getting viral infections and colds during colder months.
4. They improve brain function and memory retention.
When your body’s free radicals and antioxidant levels are out of whack, it creates oxidative stress. Oxidative stress is responsible for premature aging and lower brain function. Studies show eating blueberries trigger function in various parts of the brain.
When you consume blueberries everyday, the nutrients slow down memory impairments and improve coordination. Eating blueberries even minimize the risk of developing brain disorders like dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.
5. They help with weight loss.
If you want to shed a few pounds, blueberries can help. Studies show that consuming blueberries train the genes responsible for weight loss by burning fat and reducing cholesterol. Blueberries are also a low-calorie, fibrous food, which make you stay full for longer.
Between blueberries keeping you full and their high water content, adding them to your diet help you maintain a healthy weight. When you want a snack, consider grabbing a cup of blueberries or add them to a low-calorie meal.
6. They improve the reproductive cycle.
If you’re looking to start a family, you definitely need blueberries in your diet. Blueberries contain anthocyanin, a compound responsible for its blue hue, that also boost fertility rates. If you’re currently taking IVF, eating blueberries raises your chances of getting pregnant even more.
The antioxidants in blueberries also improve male fertility. Blueberries cause stronger, healthier sperm cells, which raise the likelihood of them successfully fertilizing an egg. They also keep the Fallopian tubes clear, making it easier for the egg and sperm to meet for fertilization.
Blueberries also strengthen the lining of the uterus. Once the sperm cell fertilizes the egg, the strong lining makes implantation easier, raising the probability of a healthy pregnancy. The folate and vitamin C content of blueberries encourages healthy fetal development and reduces the risk of premature birth and birth defects.
Blueberries are one of the healthiest foods on the planet. Whether you’re trying to improve your physical appearance, lose weight, or start a family, a cup of blueberries everyday can drastically improve your overall wellness.
Blueberries are a versatile fruit that can be eaten with nearly anything. You can eat them plain, add them to low-fat yogurt, or blend them into a smoothie. This is especially important during cold and flu season. Regularly eating blueberries lowers your risk of developing numerous diseases.
While wild blueberries are best, commercial brands also contain a great deal of nutrients. Whether frozen or fresh, spring or winter, get ahead of your wellness and strive to eat a cup of blueberries everyday.
