Blueberries are one of the healthiest foods and with a higher content of vitamins and antioxidants, which is why it is considered a “super fruit.”
It is a fruit that can be easily combined with other ingredients not only in desserts and snacks, but also in first and second courses, which allows us to enrich our dishes with vitamins of various types.
And most importantly: in addition to having a sweet flavor that is pleasing to both children and adults, consuming blueberries becomes a healthy habit for your body. Let’s see What are the benefits that blueberries bring to our health?
Properties and benefits of blueberries (explained)
The blueberry can be considered both the plant with the scientific name Vaccinium corymbosum like the berry that this bush produces. It is a product native to North America that has been cultivated by Native Americans for thousands of years, and for good reason: this food is a very good source of vitamins and antioxidants.
If you want to know what the benefits of consuming blueberries are, keep reading; In the following lines you can find the most important ones.
1. It is anti-inflammatory
The Cranberries contain a large amount of antioxidants ; One of the most important that this fruit offers is proanthocyanidins. These molecules are known to be potent anti-inflammatory agents. In this way, they contribute to reducing the harmful effects of certain pathologies and injuries, making healing take less time to occur and require fewer resources from our immune system.
Therefore, incorporating blueberries into the diet can make a difference in people who are prone to health problems characterized by frequent inflammatory reactions, such as muscle stiffness or pain.
2. Reduces the risk of cancer
In a world population that is increasingly extending its life expectancy, cancer is one of the most common diseases, and in recent decades the number of cases of individuals with cancer has increased. According to estimates by the Spanish Society of Medical Oncology (SEOM), in 2015, 220,000 cancer patients were diagnosed in Spain.
Some studies have concluded that the consumption of this fruit can help combat the risk of cancer cell proliferation when there are few of them and, furthermore, they do so without damaging other cells. This is because blueberries contain gallic acid and resveratrol, two important compounds that help reduce the negative impact of cancer. Of course, it must be clear that simply consuming blueberries will not cure cancer or make existing tumors disappear.
3. Rejuvenates
The proanthocyanidins, present in this food , are also important for the body because they have a great capacity to combat other phenomena and improve health. Additionally, they appear to be useful in reversing the aging process in several ways, including eliminating free radicals in the skin and other organs, to make the skin look healthy and young.
4. Prevents neurodegenerative diseases
Blueberries have substances that act as neuroprotective agents, largely due to their massive antioxidant content, which has already been discussed in the previous points.
Gallic acid plays a very important role Regarding neuronal function, it prevents cognitive deterioration and the development of certain degenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s, by preventing the oxidation of cells in the brain, causing them to degenerate more slowly.
5. Prevents DNA damage
Oxidative damage can occur in our cells on a daily basis, and this oxidation is one of the reasons why humans age. That is why antioxidants are so important. But oxidation can also affect DNA , and in this way mutations can occur, which in turn increase the risk of cancer. Research shows that consuming blueberries daily decreases oxidative DNA damage by up to 20%.
A study published in 2010 in the Nutrition Journal states that Consuming this fruit improves insulin sensitivity in obese people resistant to this hormone Therefore, the consumption of blueberries can help fight diabetes. Insulin is a hormone produced in the pancreas, which helps the body metabolize carbohydrates correctly, and prevents blood sugar from increasing excessively.
7. Promotes the presence of good cholesterol
As stated by the United States Department of Agriculture, the blueberry is the fruit with the highest amount of antioxidants, and considers it one of the best foods to combat cholesterol. The Cranberries increase hepatic synthesis of good cholesterol or HDL and inhibit the formation of bad cholesterol or LDL.
8. Reduces blood pressure
Blueberries help lower and regulate blood pressure, largely because they cause a greater flow of antioxidants and nutrients in the body, which prevents the accumulation of cholesterol, and generally this helps the body function better.
The Cranberries They can also prevent blood glucose spikes by improving the body’s response to insulin. This means that the body transports nutrients better and blood circulates without problems. Likewise, a recent study from the University of Florida concludes that daily consumption of blueberries could be key to reducing blood pressure.
9. Improves cognitive functions and memory
Blueberries have been shown to increase cognitive function in rats and humans Blueberries have also been shown to improve memory. For one study, one group was asked to drink cranberry juice daily and a control group was asked to consume a placebo drink. The group that consumed the cranberry juice showed positive increases in pair learning and word recall.
The retina of the eyeball can also suffer oxidative damage, as it is a vulnerable tissue and can be easily damaged by inflammation or infections. Damage to the retina means damage to vision occurs, so keeping the retina healthy is essential to maintaining vision in old age. Fortunately, blueberries contain large amounts of antioxidants called anthocyanins, which prevent eye damage
11. Helps reduce fat
The Cranberries They are ideal for a healthy diet and for losing weight , as they contain a large amount of fiber and a low caloric value. This makes this fruit a healthy alternative, which helps regulate intestinal function and helps you feel more satiated thanks to the fiber. In addition, there are several studies that claim that blueberries stabilize blood sugar levels and prevent fat accumulation.
12. Helps have better intimate relationships
Blueberries help increase the production of endogenous nitric oxide which is often associated with a lower risk of heart disease. But not only that, nitric oxide is involved in penile erection. In fact, the active ingredient in Viagra, sildenafil, increases nitric oxide levels in the body to produce its effect. If you want to know how this happens, you can read this article: “Nitric oxide (neurotransmitter): definition and functions.”
13. Improves hair health
Blueberries improve hair health. Vitamin B is good for increasing hair growth , because it improves oxygenation and blood circulation in the body, particularly in the scalp. In addition, lowering cholesterol is also positive in this regard, and anthocyanins help stimulate hair growth.
14. Take care of your skin
Antioxidants fight the presence of free radicals in the skin, which can cause severe damage to this area of the body. The phytochemicals and antioxidants present in blueberries make skin look smoother and younger In addition, it is possible to use this fruit as a mask to combat acne.
