Seven Proven Health Benefits from Blueberries
7 Proven Benefits of Blueberries
Blueberries They are tasty nutritious, healthy, and delicious. They are also one of the most adored food items within North America. Did you not know that blueberries are also beneficial to your overall health?
Did you know that eating only 1 cup blueberries every day can provide many advantages? In fact, blueberries may help prevent cancer, heart disease, diabetes, Alzheimer's, arthritis, and even depression. They taste great!
If you've never tried blueberries before, here's your chance to taste them. This article will explain everything you need to know about these little gems.
What Are Blueberries?
Blueberries are a small rectangular fruit that grows in North America and Europe. The name "blue" is derived from the color of its skin. It is actually purple inside. There are two types of blueberries - wild and cultivated. Blueberries that are wild grow naturally in forests and along rivers. The cultivation of blueberries are produced in greenhouses. Both varieties of blueberries are used as medicinal and food purposes.
Blueberries Are Rich in Nutrients, But Poor in Calories
Blueberries are packed with antioxidants, fiber, minerals and vitamins. Their nutritional benefits make them an excellent supplement in the eating habits. They include:
- vitamin C,
- potassium,
- manganese,
- copper,
- magnesium,
- phosphorus,
- iron,
- niacin,
- riboflavin,
- thiamine,
- folate,
- pantothenic acid,
- biotin,
- Folic acid and
- There are many more.
Antioxidant Capacity of Blueberries
Antioxidants help protect against heart disease, cancer, and diabetes. Blueberries are also rich in potassium fibre, vitamin C folate, manganese, copper, magnesium, zinc, phosphorus, niacin, zinc, riboflavin, thiamine, biotin, pantothenic acid and vitamins B6 and E.
They also contain food fiber flavonoids, polyphenols, flavonoids, anthocyanins, proanthocyanidins, ellagic acid phytosterols, and phenolic acid.
Benefits for health advantages of blueberries include reducing the risks of cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, osteoporosis, obesityand colon cancer.
Blueberries are also used to treat diarrhea, urinary tract infections as well as constipation.
Anthocyanins in Blueberries May Improve Insulin Resistance
Insulin resistance is a condition where blood glucose levels increase following eating because the body doesn't react properly to insulin. The cells aren't able to absorb glucose efficiently.
Insulin resistance is often referred to as pre-diabetes, also known as metabolic syndrome. In reality, there are two kinds of insulin resistance Type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes.
Type 1 diabetes happens when the pancreas is unable to produce enough insulin. Type 2 diabetes develops because the body becomes resistant to the hormone insulin..
The most prevalent reason for type 2 diabetes is overweight. Obesity can be defined as having BMI ( body mass index) higher than 30 kg/m2.
Obesity can increase the amount of fat that is stored in the body. Fat stores energy through cholesterol and triglycerides.
Triglycerides and cholesterol can be found in the muscles and liver. When these organs get overloaded with cholesterol and excess triglyceride, they begin to store them, instead of releasing them for use.
This leads to an increase of cholesterol and triglycerides that are present in the bloodstream. When more cholesterol and triglycerides are introduced into the bloodstream, the body reacts by producing higher levels insulin.
This is why the person could feel hungry during meals and consume huge amounts of food. Eventually, your body produces excess insulin and cannot release any.
Along with causing weight gain, obesity can lead to cardiovascular disease and gallbladder disorders, stroke, sleep apnea, and osteoarthritis.
Blueberry extract contains anthocyanins which help improve insulin sensitivity. Anthocyanins naturally occurring plant pigments that give fruits and veggies their colour.
Health Benefits Of Eating Blueberries
There are several reasons why people should eat blueberries. First of all, they are extremely tasty and easy to prepare. You can add them to muffins and pancakes, oatmeal as well as smoothies, yogurts, salads, juices, cakes, cereals, pies, cookies, ice cream jams, jellies, sauces, soups, etc. They are also good for diabetics as they aid in regulating blood sugar levels. They are also rich in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties. Antioxidants combat free radicals in the human bodily system and protect cells from damage. This helps us live longer and longer. Additionally, they help fight cancer. Blueberries are a natural food source for vitamin C manganese, vitamin K, calcium, phosphorous, zinc selenium, copper, iron, magnesium, potassium, sodium, protein, flavonoids, dietary fibers anthocyanidins, phenolicsand ellagic acid, phytosterols, tannins, carotenoids and many other ingredients.
Effect on Blueberries in preventing aging and Cancer
Blueberries have antioxidants which can help prevent the development of cancer and ageing. A study showed the blueberry extract reduced the damage to DNA caused by radiation treatment for prostate cancer.
The study also demonstrated extracts could reduce side effects of chemotherapy.
They are rich of anthocyanins, flavonoids and phenolic acids that provide antioxidant protection. Anthocyanins can be potent anti-inflammatory substances that could help in the prevention of heart disease.
Also, they have ellagic acids, which aids in fighting cancer. Ellagic acid acts as an active component in pomegranate juice which is used to treat breast cancer.
A recent study showed the consumption of three portions of fruit each week can reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
Effect of Blueberries on Cognitive Performance and Brain Function
Benefits of eating blueberries beneficial health advantages of blueberries are numerous. The health benefits of blueberries include improved memory, enhanced cognition and lower blood pressure as well as increased energy levels, better immune system functions, a decrease in incidence of diabetes, lower cholesterol levels, and protection from cardiovascular diseases.
They have one of the most powerful antioxidants than any other fruit or vegetable?
Blueberries have been discovered to have many advantages for health due to their high antioxidant levels. Antioxidants are able to protect us and our body from the effects of free radicals which can be caused by eating foods. Free radicals can cause cell damage and can cause illnesses like cancer, heart disease as well as diabetes, arthritis, Alzheimer's Disease, and cataracts. The most powerful antioxidant compound in blueberries is called anthocyanins. Anthocyanins represent pigments, which give their colour. They also are responsible for creating a distinctive flavor.
Ketogenic and Mediterranean Diet
Ketogenic diet is a low carb, moderate protein and very fat eating plan. It's designed to replicate a state of ketosis which occurs when you eat low in carbs and lots of fats. If you adhere to this kind of diet it is believed that your body produces ketones , which serve as fuel for the body and your muscles. This lets you reduce fat, without the need to resort to carbohydrates.
Mediterranean Diet comprises a range of meals which are considered to be healthy. However, they do contain harmful ingredients, such as salt and sugar. A Mediterranean food plan should consist of whole grains, legumes, vegetables, fish, nuts, olive oil, dairy products such as herbs, spices and fruits..
You can use fresh or frozen blueberries. If you are planning you to preserve your blueberries first wash them welland then put them into freezer bags. Put them back into the freezer after 2 hours. Once you've taken the freezer out, let them cool completely before using.
In making muffins, you must begin mixing the dry ingredients (flour baking soda, flour, baking powder and salt) and wet ingredients (eggs milk Sour cream, butter that has been melted). After that, mix in the blueberries. Finally put the batter in the prepared pan and bake at 350°F for 20 minutes. Enjoy the coolness and have a blast!