12 Health Benefits of Blueberries

When it comes to the placing of berries among popular berries in US it is strawberries which take the first place that is followed by Blueberries, these blue berries are part of Ericaceae family which also include other berries like bilberries and cranberries. Even among the blue berries there are three groups which include highbush blueberries, lowbush blueberries and rabbiteye blueberries.
North America is the place where these blueberries are naturally found in higher quantities and among the three different varieties it is highbush variety that is prominently found in these areas. While the other varieties of blueberries can be found in areas like Mediterranean, Europe and Asia, though these berries are exported to several parts in the world these are mainly cultivated in Michigan, Oregon, Maine, North Carolina and New Jersey.
Though it is North America where this fruit is prominently cultivated this has later on spread across to Europe going ahead to South America along with other nations like Argentina, Uruguay, Australia, Chile and New Zealand. There might be a question about the reason for this fruit to be consumed to such an extent that it has been found that an average adult in US takes about 22 ounces of this fruit per year.

Blue berries are full of anti-oxidants which will keep cancer along with various other diseases at distance, they also are considered to be one among the various fruits which are known to have higher content of anti-oxidants which is supported by delicious taste.
People who give highest priority to their health will have to know that blueberry is the most important fruits for them due to abundance of phytonutrients like hydroxybenzoic acid, flavanols, anthocyanines, hydroxycinnamic acid, pterostilene and resveratrol. Phytonutirients in this fruit will act both as antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds along with Vitamin A, Vitamin C, B-Complex, Manganese, Zinc, Vitamin K, Copper, Vitamin E, Fiber, Iron and Selenium.

Some of the health benefits of Blueberries fruit:

1. Enhance immunity system:

   Mixture of Vitamin C with Anthocyanin will provide the body with necessary power to fight against any infections caused by bacteria and virus that will increase immunity system’s functioning.

2. Nullify free radicals:

   Phytonutrient named anthocyanin is known to be the one which gives blue color to the fruit, this is also known to be effective in killing cancer since it neutralizes any dangerous effect free radicals might cause also treated any problems related to age.

3. Enhances memory:

   Blueberries have gained name for being best food for brain which will lessen any problems with memory which may deteriorate as age keeps on increasing also saving the brain from undergoing any oxidative stress which thereby increases the functionality of neurons. Further this fruit also will save diseases from Alzheimer’s and dementia for which 2 ½ cups of blueberries has to be taken on daily basis to avoid any brain or memory problems.

4. Increases vision:

   Nutrients in blueberries are known to work positively for vision which is affected by the presence of Vitamin A in this fruit.

5. Decreasing cholesterols:

   Blueberries are known to naturally lessen the cholesterol levels in the body which is due to some of the compounds that have been proved to be more effective when compared to the drugs that have been suggested to decrease cholesterol levels.

6. Increases heart health:

   Presence of fiber content and antioxidants are known to work for blueberries as natural food source for heart shielding it from several diseases which will finally give better heart health due to lesser cholesterol levels.

7. Treats urinary tract infection:

   This fruit acts like both treatment and precaution against any infections caused in urinary tract as per the research there are certain compounds found commonly in both blueberries and cranberries.

8. Avoids cancer:

   Ellagic acid and pterostilbene in blueberries are to known to give power to the body to fight against cancer also the phenolic compounds of blueberries are known to control the growth of colon cancer cells.

9. Helps in digestion:

   1 cup of this fruit satisfies the 14% of fiber requirement for the body on daily basis due to the richer presence of dietary fibers that are known to treat any chronic constipation along with presence of nutrients like copper, fructose, sodium and vitamins which is known to help in proper functioning of digestive system.

10. Cuts down belly fat:

    Daily consumption of blueberries is known to help in cutting down the fat reduction which when continuously done for 3 months will give perfect results.

11. Slows down ageing process:

    People who are interested in staying young for long time can increase the amount of blueberries being taken daily basis due to the anti-inflammatory compounds and antioxidants presence in this fruit which will set up a shield around the brain to prevent any deterioration and signs of ageing.

12. Fixes depression:

    Drugs are not the solution for those who want to set their mood right and want to come out for depression, fruits work great for those suffering with depression without creating any problems further.

Among all the varieties of blueberries available in order to get maximum benefits of this fruit it is suggested to go with the ones which are deeper in color since it is the proof of them having increased number of antioxidants also having lesser rank on GI hence this will not be problematic even for people suffering with diabetes to consume.
Blueberries also are known to control sugar levels in patients who are troubled with type 2 diabetes, also raw consumption of this fruit is known to give more benefits than those in any other cooked form. Frozen berries are not known to be void of all the beneficial antioxidants and deprive our body from taking advantage of this.