8 Incredible Benefits of Berries
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Berries. They taste amazing, look awesome and they are packed with antioxidants as well as powerful disease-fighting nutrients and necessary vitamins and minerals important to overall our overall health.
Here are 8 incredible benefits of berries
Loaded with Antioxidants- Probably one of the most widely known benefits of berries are their high antioxidant properties. Antioxidants are vital to our health as they help keep free radicals (unstable molecules that occur as a normal byproduct of metabolism ) and help reduce inflammation. Black, blue and red berries especially help fight oxidative stress as they contain an antioxidant known as anthocyanins, which are responsible for the deep, vibrant berry colours.
May help regulate blood sugar- Berries are rich in fiber and are low on the glycemic index, making them a wonderful food for blood sugar balance.
High in fiber- berries are an excellent source of dietary fiber, which is one of the reasons they can be useful in weight management, as they help keep us full for longer.
Provide a wide range of nutrients- Not only do berries contain powerful antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties, they also contain a variety of other nutrients such as Vitamin C, Manganese, calcium and Vitamin K to name a few.
Help fight inflammation- Research is showing more and more that there is a strong correlation between chronic inflammation and debilitating diseases such as obesity, heart disease, autoimmune diseases, arthritis, diabetes and more. (2) The antioxidants in most berries have anti-inflammatory properties which may help in the reduction of many diseases.
May help lower cholesterol- Researchers are discovering foods higher in fiber and antioxidants help to dissolve bad cholesterol (LDL). As berries are high in both fiber and antioxidants this makes them an ideal dietary supplement to help with heart disease.
May be good for your skin- Berries not only taste great they are also great for your skin. Due to their high antioxidant content berries can help to protect your skin from the damaging effects of the sun. The abundance of Vitamin C in most berries is a big factor in building collagen which helps reduce wrinkles and other signs of aging.
May help protect against cancer- Researchers are finding that many types of berries may be a key component in protecting the body against cancer due to their naturally occurring pigmentation.
How You Can Get More Berries Into Your Diet
Berries are so versatile that they can be used in so many ways such as in breads, muffins, smoothies and even salads.
For some berry varieties, it is easier (and tastier) if they are consumed in powder form such as Acai berry or dried such as Goji berries and Cranberries
If you’re looking for great taste, low calories, and tremendous health benefits you can use to maintain high levels of wellness and disease prevention, then look no further than berries. Just remember that more common berries can come with high levels of pesticides so where possible try to choose organic.
Remember to always consult your Dr or medical practitioner if you are on medication or if you have any existing health concerns.
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REFERENCES
Dr Mercola, 2016. Which Berries Are Best? https://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2016/11/21/berries-benefits.aspx
PubMed, 2017. Berries: Anti-inflammatory Effects On Humans. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24512603
HuffingtonPost, 2016. Health Benefits of Berries (Plus Sweet and Savoury Ways To Use Them). https://www.huffingtonpost.com.au/2016/04/11/health-benefits-berries_n_9666936.html
HuffingtonPost, 2017. 5 Fabulous Fruits For Gorgeous Skin. https://www.huffingtonpost.com.au/2014/09/19/anti-aging-foods_n_5790868.html
Organic Facts, 2019. 20 Evidence-Based health benefits of Blueberries. https://www.organicfacts.net/health-benefits/fruit/health-benefits-of-blueberries.html
Medical News Today, 2018. Could Berries Help To Fight Cancer?https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/321410.php