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How Antioxidants in Blueberries Can Benefit You

Recently, a research at Tufts University, analyzed up to 60 fruits and vegetables to determine the antioxidant capacity of each, Blueberries came up tops for having the most antioxidant ability. This research validates the amazing healing abilities of this dark blue berry. Blueberries are very healthy for you because they are packed with nutrients, phytochemicals and flavor, while also being low on calorie count. Here’s how antioxidants in blueberries can benefit your health:

Blueberries and Antioxidants

Protects against hemorrhoids and peptic ulcers – Blueberries are highly beneficial to the digestive and excretory system. The presence of soluble and insoluble dietary fiber, in these berries, helps with the elimination of fecal wastes and hence allows for a healthy bowel movement, with less strain on the rectal nerves, thus preventing conditions like hemorrhoids. In fact, blueberries are excellent for curing conditions of diarrhea and constipation.

The various antioxidants in blueberries helps eliminate free radicals which cause inflammation along the digestive pathways, and thus prevents occurrence of peptic ulcers. Eating blueberries, or drinking blueberry juice, can also heal the already present ulcer or hemorrhoid condition.

Blueberries are very good for your heart – Eating blueberries can immensely improve your cardiovascular health due to the presence of an antioxidant called “anthocyanin” in blueberry. Red wines have been acclaimed as virtual heart protectors but it has been found that blueberries can deliver close to 38% more antioxidant ability than red wine. You can obtain wine made from highbush blueberries; they are more potent than red wine in preventing heart diseases.

Blueberries help improve your vision – It has been seen that eating blueberries, or bilberries, can help improve your visual sharpness and also enhance your nighttime vision, and reduce your restoration time after exposure to glare. They also prevent macular degeneration (weakness of eyes) related to aging. The various phytonutrients present in blueberries help protect against occurrences of “Cataracts”.

Blueberries are good for your brain – Research has found that eating blueberries can improve the learning capacity and motor skills in aging animals. The various antioxidants present in blueberry, prevent the brain from being exposed to oxidative stress and thus reduce the chances of age related dementia, and issues like Alzheimer’s.

Promotes the health of your urinary tract – Sometimes bacteria can adhere to the mucosal lining of your bladder or urinary tract, and cause painful infections. It has been found that eating blueberries or cranberries can protect your urinary tract from such infections through the presence of certain compounds that inhibit the growth of harmful bacteria like E.coli.

Blueberries protect against colon and ovarian cancer – It has been found that a certain compound “Tannin”, present in blueberries, has the capacity to inhibit cell proliferation present in conditions of colon and ovarian cancer. Eating blueberries will reduce your risk of colon cancer and ovarian cancer (in women).

In Conclusion

Antioxidants in blueberries are healthy for you in so many ways that it would be a crime to neglect this fruit in your daily diet. Blueberries can be eaten raw, as a juice, in the form of wine or even as a jam. Blueberries jams are very tasty due to their sweet and tart taste and kids do love it.