Love the tangy and tart flavor of the fresh blueberries? With blueberries’ health benefits revealed, there’s more reason to be happy about than just the flavor and taste. While the nutritional values of blueberries are immense, let’s take a closer look at the top 10 ways in which they benefit our health and body.

•   Strengthens the Immune System:
Blueberries are a rich source of anti-oxidants like anthocyanin, and vitamins like vitamin A, B complex, C and E. These work  together to boost your immune system and prevent infections. They are also rich in minerals like selenium, zinc, iron and copper. While iron raises the hemoglobin and oxygen concentration in the blood, copper has had anti-bacterial properties and is an effective immune builder. Thus, these minerals strengthen your immune system and help you fight colds, fever, pox and other viral and bacterial diseases.

•    Neutralizes Free Radicals:
The strong presence of anthocyanin ( an anti-oxidant) in blueberries neutralizes the free radicals present in our body quite effectively, thereby preventing aging in the body. The presence of vitamin C is another major factor for this, as well.

•    Glowing Skin:
The vitamins and the anti-oxidants also help to give your skin a nice glow,  making you look younger and happier.

•    Reduce Belly Fat:  
Blueberries are also believed to help reduce belly fat, making them an effective and natural way of keeping yourself fit and healthy. The risk of obesity and weight gain can be easily minimized by snacking on this tasty fruit, rather than chips or candy.

•    Reduces Risks for Urinary Tract Infection:
Urinary tract infections are generally caused by b-coli or e-coli bacteria that cling along the inner walls of the urinary tract. Blueberries have a certain compound of big polymers, which inhibits the bacterial growth in that area. The anti-bacterial properties found in blueberries can also negate the bacterial growth. Thus, blueberries are great for anyone suffering from a UTI. 

•    Improves Vision:
Blueberry extracts are also great sources of anthocyanosides – a compound that massively slows down visual loss. These anthocyanodies can prevent (or at least delay) all age-related ocular problems like: cataract, myopia and hypermetropia, macular degeneration or dryness and infections. The presence of a special group of anti-oxidants called Carotenoids (lutein, zeaxanthin, etc) and Flavanoids (like rutin, resveritrol, quercetin, etc) are quite effective in preventing most retina-related problems,  as well.
 

•  Constipation and Digestion:

The nutritional value of blueberries is also attributed to their fiber content. The fibers act as a roughage and hinders constipation. At the same time, the vitamins, sodium, copper, fructose and acids present in the fruit improve digestion.

•    Cancer:
Compounds like Pterostilbene and Ellagic Acid present in blueberries help them prevent and cure cancer, as well. The phenolic compounds in blueberries also inhibit colon cancer cell proliferation and induce apoptosis (programmed cell death), thereby preventing cancer. Various compounds in blueberries fight various forms of cancer.  For example, Pterostilbene is an excellent remedy for colon and liver cancer, Flavone Luteolin for ovarian cancer and so on.

•    Brain Health:
The various vitamins and minerals of blueberries - anthocyanin, selenium, vitamins A, B-complex, C and E, zinc, sodium, potassium, copper, magnesium, phosphorus, manganese, etc. – prevent degeneration and death of neurons and restores the health of the central nervous system, thereby preventing and healing neurotic disorders. They are also effective in Alzheimer’s disease. Furthermore, nutritional values of blueberries also help in improving your learning capacity and motor skills.

•    Heart Disease:
The nutritional values of blueberries reach its pinnacle when it comes to heart diseases. The high fiber content, the rich anti-oxidants and their combined effect to dissolve “bad cholesterol” make them the best natural remedy for heart diseases. Blueberries do not just help to control cholesterol and blood pressure, they also strengthen the cardiac muscles!

Overall, blueberries keep you fresh, fit, sharp, active and improve your mood. They are a natural remedy for many known diseases, without the added side effects. Therefore, trust more in the nutritional values of blueberries – taste or health, these rich storehouses of goodness have them all!

Photo Courtesy: bewellbuzz.com and sciencecodex.com