Blueberries are a tasty addition to any breakfast cereal, and a handful at the end of any meal will go down a treat. They’re also a popular addition to muffins and other baking products, and go well in smoothies. They’re easy to store, too – freezing blueberries has no effect on many of the benefits you get from consuming them. These benefits are as follows:
Blueberries are beneficial to type 2 diabetes patients, as they help with regulating the level of sugar present in the blood. If you are on diabetes medication, speak to your doctor about blueberries before making any changes to your maintenance regime.
Studies have shown that, in older adults, blueberries can improve and retain the condition of the brain. A regular consumption of blueberries, either whole or juiced, will help senior citizens improve their memory and cognitive functions.
Blueberries are incredibly good for your cardiovascular system. The sheer number of antioxidants found in blueberries appears to be related to their brightly colored hue .This means that they’re good for lowering the risk of serious conditions, including heart diseases, strokes, and some forms of cancer, as they reduce harmful cholesterol found in your body and boost ‘good’ cholesterol. Blueberries are also very good for repairing and retaining muscle quality.
Studies have shown that blueberries are excellent for maintaining blood pressure at healthy levels, for both genders and at all ages. All in all, they are one of the best foods that anyone can eat to maintain a healthy heart. These magic berries are excellent news for your eyes too. Their antioxidant content, as well as protecting your heart, also protects your retina from the stress and damage of bright light, including sunlight. A regular intake of blueberries will help keep your eyes safe from oxygen damage.
Blueberries help to guard against harmful free radicals, which are found in the environment and in substances like caffeine. Among other things, free radicals can age your skin – so blueberries are good for your beauty regime as well as your health.
Blueberries are also also full of fiber, like most whole foods. Fiber keeps your digestive system functioning well, and keeps you regular! A good fiber intake is essential to avoid constipation, and also more serious diseases like bowel cancer. If bowel cancer is a concern, then bear in mind that some of the antioxidants in blueberries are particularly healthy for the colon, which means that blueberries pack a double whammy in reducing your risk of developing this condition.
Blueberries are grown commercially and available from supermarkets all year round, although become particularly prevalent in summer. To get the maximum benefits from blueberries, you should eat them raw. However, although the look very appealing sitting on the shelf, bear most blueberries have been grown using pesticides.
You shouldn’t eat them straight out of the packet, but should wash them when you get home, to make sure that you’re not inadvertently consuming any harmful chemicals. Organic blueberries are particularly healthy because they’re grown without any chemicals. Keen gardeners may also be interested in growing their own – blueberries were originally found in North America, but are now grown all over the world.
