5 Top Health Benefits of Blueberries
Blueberries taste great just eaten out of hand, or added to cereal, baked and frozen desserts, fruit salads, and more. The antioxidants and vitamins contained in these little berries can help you live longer and look better. Packed with nutrients, blueberries contain: potassium, zinc, copper, vitamins A, B complex, C, and E, manganese, iron. Anthocyanin, which gives these berries their blue hue, is a powerful antioxidant.
Fiber and fitness
One cup of blueberries has 4 grams of fiber, which is 15% of the recommended daily dose. Fiber, aside from aiding in digestion, can help fight cancer and bad cholesterol. Fiber also helps with weight loss, another advantage of blueberries, because it helps your body feel fuller longer.
Weight and blood sugar levels
Don’t think of blueberries as “diet food,” but they can aid in weight loss, especially in losing abdominal fat. Combined with a sensible diet, they may increase your metabolism and lose weight. Blueberries have a low glycemic index, which helps control your sugar levels and insulin.
Blueberries and brain function
Blueberries help your brain in a few different ways. They improve your brain function and help your memory. Studies have shown that daily consumption of blueberries will help halt the start of or advancement of both Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. Blueberries also help heal damaged brain cells, improve learning capabilities and basic motor skills. They may help those that have suffered minor strokes.
See things better with blueberries
These little berries prolong vision loss and problems that come with age. The antioxidants (carotenoids and flavonoids) along with all the vitamins in blueberries help decrease loss of vision, eye strain and keep your retinas healthy.
Boost your immunity
With all the vitamins and nutrients blueberries are full of you can keep your body healthy in order to fight off colds and infection. Of all fruits, blueberries have the highest volume of antioxidants to fight free radicals that lead to disease and aging in the body. These antioxidants also help fight colon, liver and ovarian cancers. Like cranberries, blueberries can also keep your urinary tract health in check by preventing infection and clearing out bacteria.
Explore our tips and recipes featuring blueberries on VegKitchen:
- A Bounty of Blueberries
- Melon Cups with Strawberries and Blueberries
- Lemony Blueberry Muffins
- Blueberry Cobbler
- Blueberry and Berry Jam Muffin
- Nutty Banana-Blueberry Smoothie
- Fruit and Yogurt Parfaits
- Raspberry-Almond Fruit Crisp
- Blueberry Bliss in a Glass
- Berry-Topped Vegan Cheesecake
For more tips on plant-based nutrition, make sure to browse VegKitchen’s Nutrition page.