Blueberries are small but mighty. Even though blueberries are low in calories, they are considered superfruits and pack vast nutrients, which are the perfect addition to your daily diet. Here are seven reasons you should eat more blueberries.
Nutrition Facts of Blueberries
Blueberries are about 80 calories per cup:
- 14 grams of sugar
- 0 cholesterol
- 1 gram of protein
- .5 grams of fat
- 21 grams of carbohydrates
- 3.6 grams of fiber
Here’s the breakdown of its highest nutrients:
- 24% of the daily value of Vitamin C
- 36% of the daily value of vitamin K
- 5% of the daily value of vitamin B6
The Best Source of Antioxidants
Blueberries have the most antioxidants of fruits and vegetables, which is why they are considered superfoods. With high antioxidants like anthocyanins, blueberries promote immunity and protect against free radicals. Free radicals are responsible for the stress on the body that contributes to diseases and aging acceleration.
The antioxidant anthocyanin is what gives blueberries their color, and blueberries have the highest concentration of them, even though all berries contain them.
Great for Post-Workout
Blueberries help with post-exercise muscle soreness. Especially after strenuous exercise, blueberries accelerate muscle recovery, according to this study. Their anti-inflammatory properties are due to their high antioxidants. Consume them before and after exercise.
Heart Healthy
Blueberries contain no cholesterol, therefore making them heart-healthy. In fact, their high amounts of fiber help to reduce total cholesterol. Also, because of their excess of anthocyanins, blueberries help to reduce the risk of a heart attack by 32%, with regular consumption. Finally, they improve blood pressure by promoting vessel function and improved circulation.
Great for Weight Loss
Blueberries are a high-fiber food, making them ideal for weight loss. Eating high-fiber food helps you feel fuller, reducing hunger signals and causing you to eat less. At 80 calories a cup, blueberries are a perfect volumizing snack for a diet.
Consuming blueberries may reduce belly fat. One study notes blueberries influence the genes that regulate fat burning and storage. In addition, blueberries contain prebiotics that promotes gut health, therefore reducing bloating. The fiber supports healthy digestion, thus improving the body’s metabolism.
Promotes Healthy Skin
One cup of blueberries contains 24% of your recommended daily vitamin C. Vitamin C assists collagen in the skin, improving elasticity. In addition, the high amounts of antioxidants block the environmental free radicals from damaging the cells in the skin, slowing the signs of aging.
Along with the heart-healthy benefits from improved circulation, better circulation delivers essential nutrients to the cells, including the skin. Indirectly, the high amounts of antioxidants and fiber in blueberries are known to improve skin conditions like acne, eczema, and psoriasis because of their anti-inflammatory effects.
Diabetes Management
Although blueberries contain small amounts of sugar, the blood sugar-reducing benefits outweigh the sugar amounts. The anthocyanins in blueberries are great for blood sugar control, and the flavonoids help improve insulin sensitivity. According to a study, blueberries may reduce blood sugar spikes after a high-carb meal.
Promotes Healthy Aging
Blueberries help slow cognitive decline, improve short-term memory, and reduce DNA damage from free radicals with their high antioxidants. DNA damage from free radicals is one of the causes of accelerated aging. Several studies have shown the consumption of blueberries over four weeks reduced DNA damage by 20%.
The Takeaway
Blueberries are considered one of the healthiest fruits, and now you have an idea why. These are only some of their amazing benefits. As a low-calorie powerful food, it’s a no-brainer to add them to your daily diet.
Blueberry season is underway and blueberries are the newest crop from Noble Citrus. The blueberry season begins first in Florida and ranges from February to April.
Find out where to buy the juiciest blueberries in Florida here.
