Blueberries are something that can be enjoyed every day, and two handfuls of blueberries, which is the equivalent of 4 heaped teaspoons, counts towards one of your five-a-day portions. Research has found that eating a cup of blueberries a day reduces risk factors for cardiovascular disease.
There's no downside to eating blueberries every day because they're so healthy. But Zumpano says you'll get the most benefits from fresh, uncooked organic berries. While delicious, blueberry pancakes or muffins aren't quite as healthy. “Antioxidants can be harmed by heat,” Zumpano explains.
However, as a general guideline, it's recommended to consume no more than 1-2 cups of blueberries per day to avoid negative side effects. Consuming more than this amount on a regular basis may contribute to blood sugar imbalances, tooth decay, kidney stone formation, or allergic reactions.
Berries. I recommend one daily serving of berries (half cup fresh or frozen, or a quarter cup dried) and three daily servings of other fruit (a medium-sized fruit, a cup cut-up fruit, or a quarter cup dried). Why do I single out berries? Berries are the healthiest fruits—due in part to their plant pigments.
Just one cup of blueberries a day can provide loads of nutrients: 24 percent of your daily intake of vitamin C, 36 percent of vitamin K, 25 percent of manganese, which helps with blood clotting and promotes bone and muscle strength, and 14 percent of dietary fiber, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
Research has found that eating a cup of blueberries a day reduces risk factors for cardiovascular disease. While eating 150g of blueberries on a daily basis may help reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease by up to 15%.
According to a few studies, a bowl of blueberries can help in boosting immunity and can reduce the risk of diabetes, obesity and heart diseases. Moreover, consuming a small portion of berries daily can help in strengthening the metabolism and prevent any kind of metabolic syndrome and deficiency.
Which Berry is Most Nutritious? They're all healthy choices, but the “best” distinction may well go to black raspberries, says dietitian Kathleen Johnson. A raspberry cousin with a deeper color, they provide very high antioxidant levels along with fiber and relatively little natural sugar.
For a healthy adult, a 0.5 cup daily serving of blueberries is ideal keeping in mind optimum nutrition. However, if you have an underlying health condition like, Salicylate sensitivity, check with your doctor before adding them to your diet.
The serving size of blueberries is the same for children between 6 and 12, adolescents and healthy adults over 18 -- 1/2 cup, or 74 grams, of the berries. Blueberry serving size was set by the Food and Drug Administration in the 1990s based on survey data from the 1970s and 1980s.
Both berries are healthy with negligent content of fat and carbs. Although strawberries have the lesser calorie content, blueberries are healthier due to their impressive antioxidant content. Also, the nutrients that you get from strawberries can be replaced by a number of other fruits.
Some common traits of bad blueberries are a mushy, soft texture and some discoloration and bruising and then mold will start to appear beginning where the stem was attached. Remember, if they are moldy, throw them out!
Research shows that blueberries can dramatically improve gut bacteria. They are rich in prebiotics, which serves as a precursor to probiotics, contributing to healthy bacteria in the gut and colon. Furthermore, the potent anti-inflammatory properties found in blueberry can alter the gut bacteria, reduce inflammation.
Recent study findings suggest that blueberries may influence genes which regulate fat-burning and storage, helping reduce abdominal fat and lower cholesterol. When combined with a low-fat diet, blueberries might also lower triglycerides and improve blood sugar levels, each benefits of a comprehensive weight loss plan.
According to a 20-year Harvard study of women 70 and older, eating blueberries at least once a week or strawberries at least twice a week may delay cognitive aging by up to two-and-a-half years.
The high vitamin C and vitamin E content in blueberries help fade away blemishes like sun spots, hyperpigmentation, and dark spots. They act as an exfoliating agent and take away any sort of discolouration on your skin. This evens out your complexion and brightens your skin, taking any dullness away.
While all fruits are healthy, registered dietitian nutritionist Danielle Crumble Smith recommends one nutrient-packed fruit in particular – wild blueberries. Blueberries contain lots of fiber, which keeps you fuller for longer. They also rank among the fruits and vegetables with the highest antioxidant content.
Dark berries, such as blueberries and raspberries, tend to have a higher concentration of antioxidants and as a result, more anti-aging benefits.
Summary: Adding a handful of blueberries to your daily diet can help reduce blood pressure, improve memory and cognitive function, and boost reaction times.
Studies on blueberries and nutrition have shown that since blueberries are frozen soon after they are picked, they are equal in quality to fresh where antioxidants are concerned.