10 Things You May or May Not Know About Blueberries

In all of nature’s bounty, there are few foods that can match blueberries in terms of diversity of health benefits. Every subsystem in your body will be boosted if you make it a habit of eating this purplish-blue pellet-sized fruit. And their sweet, pleasant taste makes it an easy habit to get in. There is no dank, dull, or overly bitter flavor about these nutritional power pellets.

Of all the gifts of health that nature has provided us, the blueberry is among the greatest. Attractive as well as flavorful, there are few foods that have even close to the number of health benefits they provide.

 Author: terri_bateman

Blueberries Can Improve Brain Function

It really should not be that much of a surprise. Given the concentration of flavonoids and antioxidants that are contained within blueberries, it should stand to reason that they would have a positive effect on your brain.

This especially holds true for the elderly. A diet that is rich in fruits and vegetables in general has long been associated with a lower risk for Alzheimer’s disease as well as other forms of dementia. Research that was conducted by the University of Exeter consisted of giving older adults 30 milliliters of concentrated blueberry juice every day for a period of 12 weeks. All of the subjects showed a marked improvement in cognitive ability and overall brain activity.

In addition, gallic acid has long been connected with a positive impact on memory improvement.

They Lessen Your Risk of Stroke

Cognitive ability and prevention of dementia are not the only benefits that blueberries will yield to your brain. As we age, we are more prone to atherosclerosis, or hardening of the arteries. This makes us gradually more susceptible to both heart disease as well as strokes. Antioxidants and micronutrients contained within the blueberry have a dual impact on your arteries. They widen them, as well as keep them supple. This allows blood to move more freely through these vital passages in the brain, lowering your risk of having a stroke.

Lowers Your Risk of Heart Disease

Of course, anything that will help your arteries and blood vessels will also benefit your heart. Blueberries help lower your low-density lipid (LDL) cholesterol, as well as raise your high-density lipid (HDL) levels. The oxidation of the LDL in your system is what produces arterial plaque. The antioxidants in blueberries lower the oxidation of those low density lipids, thereby reducing the development of plaque. The widening and maintaining of the arteries, in turn, lowers your blood pressure. Hypertension is the main precursor to heart disease.

Keeps Your Skin Looking Young

One of the main causes of aged skin is oxidative stress. In your everyday life, your skin will get some exposure to oxidation. Being out in the sun, or eating something you probably should not are two examples. Being one of the most antioxidant-rich foods in nature, blueberries will counteract the free radicals generated by your exposure to elements that cause oxidative stress.

In addition to the antioxidants, blueberries possess an abundance of Vitamin C. Among the many functions of this vitamin is the ability to make your blood vessels stronger. Proper blood flow to the skin will keep you looking younger than your age.

Boosts Your Immune System

There are two types of dietary fiber: insoluble and soluble. The insoluble type is found in the skin of the blueberry. Because this type of fiber does not break down, it acts as a brush when it runs through your intestine. It scrapes away and clears out toxins from the walls of the intestine. The result of this is the promotion of the growth of good bacteria, otherwise known as gut flora. Your gut flora can constitute up to 70 percent of your entire immune system.

Lowers your LDL Cholesterol Levels

This is where the soluble fiber in the blueberry comes into play. Soluble fiber is found in the body of the fruit, and is effective in lowering your low-density lipid, or LDL cholesterol levels. This is commonly known as the “bad cholesterol” in your system. It accomplishes this in two ways.

Slows the Aging Process

Among the many antioxidants is a molecular compound named resveratrol. It is perhaps better known for being in a particularly high concentration in red wine. However, it is also found in several fruits, among which are blueberries. Apart from expanding your blood vessels and fighting oxidative stress, resveratrol is also capable of reducing and stabilizing your blood sugar levels.

Protects Against Gum Disease

Most people brush their teeth the recommended twice per day. However, a significant number of people still do not floss as often as they should. Those people may have a set of beautiful, white teeth free of cavities. However, you can end up losing beautiful, white, cavity-free teeth to gum disease. While it should not be considered a substitute for flossing, getting your recommended daily intake of Vitamin C is another substantial guard against gum disease. To help maximize the health of your gums, regular consumption of blueberries is a tasty way to do so.

Promotes Bone Health

In addition to the extensive list of phytochemicals, blueberries have the trace element manganese. This is one of the bone-supporting elements. Getting your recommended daily intake of manganese will not only keep strong bones strong, it can actually improve the condition of weak bones. Blueberries, along with an overall diet of other elements such as magnesium and calcium will prevent catastrophic misfortunes such as hip fractures when you reach old age.

Blueberries Have the Highest Antioxidant Content by Volume

Between the anthocyanins, the flavonoids, and other phytochemicals in this pellet-sized fruit, the blueberry ranks above all in total antioxidant capacity, with wild blueberries having a higher TAC content than the cultivated. However, both pack a nutritional punch that is second to none. Interestingly, some of these antioxidants are what attract people to this fruit in the first place. The compounds located in the skin are what gives blueberries their beautiful, purplish-blue color.