Sometimes you’ll hear about these super fruits that are so insanely good for you, but then you realize they’re not really accessible. You have to drive across town and enter a poorly lit Asian food market, struggle through reading the foreign characters, and hoping against hope that the picture on the wrapper is actually what you’re looking for.
Who needs that?
This fruit can be bought at the local grocery store and you know what you’re getting. In fact, it’s so readily available that Starbucks carries it in muffin form.
We’re talking about the blueberry. This berry takes center stage with its healing benefits.
For example, blueberries, with their high antioxidant properties, have been linked to lower cancer rates. One study of 168 people found that drinking a combination of blueberry and apple juice reduced free radicals by 20%!
By reducing free radicals, the body has a stronger ability to fight cancer.
That’s not all.
Blueberries have also prevented heart attacks. Blueberries have been linked to reducing high blood pressure and promoting good cholesterol, so it’s no wonder that an observational study of 93,000 nurses found that consuming anthocyanins (the main antioxidant in blueberries was linked with the reduction of heart attacks by nearly a third.
This piggybacks on top of blueberries’ ability to reduce blood pressure in obese individuals
and lower LDL Cholesterol (bad cholesterol) in by 27% in obese patients as well.
And that’s another benefit of blueberries. Ounce for ounce, they are among the most nutrient-dense berries with 4 grams of fiber, strong levels of vitamin C and K, and manganese- However, a full cup only has 85 calories.
And multiple studies have shown that blueberries have the highest levels of antioxidants among all commonly consumed fruits and vegetables.
Antioxidants not only fight cancer and heart attacks as mentioned, they also help restore muscles after intense workouts. When the body is stressed during a workout, it releases lactic acid in the muscles. Lactic acid build-up eventually leads to muscle soreness and micro-inflammation. Antioxidants act at the source of this, helping to flush out oxidation giving the muscles a bump in recovery.
So as you can see blueberries, though they are tiny, pack a mighty punch. They fight cancer, heal heart disease, are packed with nutrients and antioxidants, and reduce muscle fatigue. There are also studies out there that show they can reduce UTIs and encourage insulin health for diabetics! Truly, this is a fruit you should have on hand in your fridge. It can be eaten on its own, tossed in salads, mixed with oats, or mixed into smoothies. With great flavor and versatility, it’s hard to imagine what blueberries couldn’t get done.
