Seven Proven Health Benefits from Blueberries
Seven Proven Health Benefits from Blueberries
Blueberries are delicious, nutritious, and healthy. They also happen to be one of the most popular food items across North America. Did you know the fact that blueberries are also good for your overall health?
Did you know that eating just one cup of blueberries every day has many advantages? In fact, blueberries may help prevent cancer, heart disease, diabetes, Alzheimer's, arthritis, and even depression. The taste is also amazing!
If you've never tried blueberries before, this is your chance to try them out. This article will provide everything you should be aware of about these little gems.
What Are Blueberries?
Blueberries are small oval fruit that are found in North America and Europe. The name "blue" comes from the hue the skin. Actually, it is purple inside. There are two kinds of blueberries that are wild and cultivated. Wild blueberries can be found naturally in forests in rivers and forests. They are also cultivated. blueberries are cultivated in greenhouses. Both kinds of blueberries are used for both medicine and food.
Blueberries Are Rich in Nutrients, But Poor in Calories
Blueberries have a high content of filled with antioxidants, fiber, minerals and vitamins. Their nutritional quality makes them an excellent addition in any eating habits. They are made up of:
- vitamin C,
- potassium,
- manganese,
- copper,
- magnesium,
- phosphorus,
- iron,
- niacin,
- riboflavin,
- thiamine,
- folate,
- pantothenic acid
- biotin,
- folic acid and
- Many others.
Antioxidant Capacity of Blueberries
Antioxidants help protect against heart disease, cancer, and diabetes. Blueberries include potassium as well as fibrous, vitamin C folate, manganese copper, magnesium phosphorus, zinc, niacin and thiamine. They also contain riboflavin, biotin, pantothenic acid as well as vitamins B6 and E.
They are also rich in diet fiber and flavonoids as well as polyphenols, anthocyanins, proanthocyanidins, ellagic acid phytosterols, and phenolic acids.
Blueberries are healthy. The health benefits associated with blueberries include decreasing the risk of cardiovascular diseases like type 2 diabetes osteoporosis, obesityand Alzheimer's disease, as well as colon cancer.
Blueberries are utilized to treat urinary tract infections, diarrhea, and constipation.
Anthocyanins in Blueberries May Improve Insulin Resistance
Insulin resistance refers to a condition in which blood glucose levels rise after eating due to the body's inability to respond appropriately to insulin. The cells do not absorb glucose effectively.
Insulin resistance is also referred to as prediabetes also known as metabolic syndrome. In reality, there are two types of insulin resistance Type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes.
Type 1 diabetes occurs when the pancreas is unable to produce enough insulin. Type 2 diabetes happens in the event that your body becomes resistant to the hormone insulin..
The most prevalent reason for Type 2 Diabetes is overweight. Obesity can be defined as having a BMI ( body mass index) higher than 30 kg/m2.
The weight gain from obesity increases the amount fat that is stored in the body. Fat stores energy by storing cholesterol and triglycerides.
Triglycerides as well as cholesterol are present in the muscle and liver. If these organs become stuffed with excess triglyceride and cholesterol and cholesterol, they begin to store them, instead of releasing them to be used.
This leads to an increase in levels of cholesterol and triglycerides that are present in the bloodstream. When more cholesterol and triglycerides enter the bloodstream, the body responds by producing even greater levels of insulin..
This is why the person may feel hungry between meals and eat huge amounts of food. Then, eventually your system produces excessive insulin and is unable to release any.
In addition to causing weight gain, obesity may cause coronary disease, stroke, gallbladder problems sleep apnea and osteoarthritis.
Blueberry extract contains anthocyanins which help improve insulin sensitivity. Anthocyanins naturally occurring plant pigments that give fruits and veggies their color.
Health Benefits Of Eating Blueberries
There are a variety of reasons people should consume blueberries. The first reason is that they are very tasty and easy to cook. They can be added to muffins and pancakes, oatmeal as well as smoothies, yogurts and juices, salads cereals, pies, cakes Cookies, ice-cream, cookies jams, jellies sauces, soups, etc. They are also good for people with diabetes as they help control the blood sugar level. Moreover, they are rich in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties. Antioxidants fight free radicals that are present in the human bodies and help prevent cell damage. This helps us live longer and healthier lives. Also, they protect against cancer. Blueberries are an excellent food source for vitamin C vitamin K, manganese, calcium and phosphorous. They also contain zinc selenium, copper iron, magnesium, potassium, sodium, protein, flavonoids from dietary fibers, anthocyanidins and phenolics, as well as ellag acid, phytosterols, tannins carotenoids, and a variety of other ingredients.
Effect on Blueberries for aging as well as Cancer
Blueberries contain antioxidants which can help prevent cancer and age. A study found blueberry extract reduced the risk of cancer and aging. blueberry extracts helped reduce the damage to DNA that radiation treatment causes prostate cancer..
The study also revealed extracts could reduce side effects of chemotherapy.
They are rich with anthocyanins, flavonoids and phenolic acids which provide antioxidant protection. Anthocyanins can be powerful anti-inflammatory compounds that may help in the prevention of heart disease.
They also contain ellagic acid , which helps fight cancer. Ellagic acid is an active ingredient in the juice of the pomegranate plant that is used to fight and treat breast cancer.
A recent study showed that eating three servings of berries per week may reduce the chance of developing type 2 diabetes.
Effect of Blueberries on Cognitive Performance and Brain Function
The health benefits that come from taking blueberries include improved memory, improved capacity for cognitive thinking, reduced blood pressure and energy levels, improved immune system functioning, decreased prevalence of diabetes, lower cholesterol levels, and protection from cardiovascular diseases.
They have one of the higher antioxidants than any other fruit or vegetable?
Blueberries can be proven to provide many beneficial health properties due to the high antioxidant levels. Antioxidants help protect your body from free radical damage that can occur when we consume foods. Free radicals damage cells and contribute to diseases such as cancer, heart disease diabetes, arthritis, Alzheimer's Disease, and cataracts. The most powerful antioxidant compound in blueberries is called anthocyanins. Anthocyanins are pigments that give blueberries their their color. They also are responsible for imparting a distinctive taste.
Ketogenic and Mediterranean Diet
Ketogenic diet is a low-carb moderate protein, very fat eating plan. It's designed to mimic ketosis, which occurs when you eat low in carbs and lots of fats. If you are following this type of diet it is believed that your body produces ketones that are used to fuel your body and your muscles. This lets you lose fat without needing to rely on carbohydrates.
Mediterranean diet includes many foods that are considered healthy. But, they are also loaded with certain unhealthy ingredients like salt and sugar. An ideal Mediterranean eating plan must include whole cereals, legumes, and vegetables as well as fish, nuts, dairy products, olive oil such as herbs, spices and fruits..
You can make use of fresh and frozen blueberries. If you plan you to preserve your blueberries first, wash them welland then place them into freezer bags. Then, put them back in the freezer for 2 hours. When you take them out, let them thaw completely before using them.
In making muffins, you must begin mixing the dry ingredients (flour baking soda, flour baking powder salt) as well as wet ingredients (eggs milk and sour cream, as well as melt butter). Then, fold in the blueberries. Then add the batter to the pan you've prepared and bake at 350°F in 20 mins. Allow to cool, and then enjoy!