Fruit of a flowering shrub, blueberries belong to the family of cranberries and huckleberries. They have this characteristic blue-purple color that gives them the name. However, the most interesting feature of this fruit is that it has the highest level of antioxidants as compared to any other fruits and vegetables that people eat. Aside from this, the benefits of blueberries are manifold and you absolutely must make them a part of your daily diet. Read ahead for some of the health positives blueberries have for your skin and body.
Benefits of Blueberries for Your Skin
Blueberries contain the flavonoid called anthocyanin that gives them their color and is a kind of polyphenol. This compound can protect your body from free radicals that cause damage to your cells and DNA. In addition, blueberries contain a high dose of vitamin C which is the key component of collagen. For this reason, eating blueberries can rejuvenate the skin and erase signs of aging. They can also help you reverse the damage from the sun and other environmental polluting agents.
Benefits of Blueberries for Overall Health
Reverses the Aging of the Brain
As you age, the oxidation process in the brain cells can result in reduced cognitive abilities. The antioxidants present in blueberries interact with the brain’s neurons to reverse the damage. In this way, they work to keep your brain healthy, and cognitive abilities and memory intact. Older patients can also maintain proper motor function with a regular intake of blueberries.
Your body needs minerals like iron, calcium, magnesium, manganese, zinc, and phosphorus to build and repair the bones. Recent studies have shown that aside from vitamin D, you also need vitamin K to help your bones absorb the minerals better. Vitamin K also prevents the loss of calcium from the bones while iron and zinc help in improving the flexibility of your joints.
Regulates Blood Pressure
Blueberries contain healthy levels of magnesium, calcium, and potassium, but at the same time, have no sodium. These properties make them excellent for regulating blood pressure and preventing it from becoming too high. Considering that hypertension can cause strokes and heart attacks, you also lower your risk for getting these diseases with a regular intake of blueberries.
Lowers Blood Sugar
If you’re a diabetic looking to control the levels of glucose in your blood, avail of the benefits of blueberries. This fruit has low amounts of sugar as compared to other fruits. In addition, the berries have high amounts of fiber that can help in controlling sugar and lipid levels. People with Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes benefit from the properties of blueberries that improve the body’s response to insulin. The anthocyanins in blueberries are also good for preventing insulin resistance.
Lowers the Risk of Heart Disease
Blueberries contain all the minerals essential to keep your heart healthy. These nutrients include vitamins B6 and C, folates, potassium, and phytonutrients. The high fiber content of this fruit helps lower cholesterol and levels of homocysteine that can accumulate on the arterial walls and cause hypertension. The best positive is that blueberries can prevent the oxidation of the LDL or bad cholesterol in the body.
Prevents the Incidence of Cancer
The folate content in blueberries can help in the synthesis and repair of the DNA in your body. As a result, you remain protected from the development of cancer cells that result from DNA mutations. Eating blueberries regularly can protect you from various kinds of cancer such as pancreatic, endometrial, mouth, lung, and colon cancers among others.
The fiber in blueberries can help prevent constipation and helps lower appetite by making you feel satiated quickly. For this reason, consuming this fruit adds low calorie intake and can help you lose weight.
These are only a few of the benefits of blueberries. Add them to your regular diet and you’ll see the difference they make to your skin and overall wellness.