Blueberries are native to North America, belonging to the same genus as bilberries and cranberries. Cultivated blueberries were introduced to Europe in the 1930s. They contain various nutrients, including vitamin A, vitamin C and manganese.

Heart health

Due to the antioxidant phytonutrients found in blueberries, they may be beneficial for heart health. These nutrients can help to dissolve the bad cholesterol (LDL), therefore preventing it from forming hard plaque on the artery walls.

The protective compounds that are found in blueberries can also help to strengthen the cardiac muscles.

Cancer prevention

Blueberries are rich in antioxidants, which make them beneficial for cancer prevention. Antioxidants can help to fight the free radicals which can cause cell and tissue damage.

Blueberries contain vitamin C and vitamin E, which are both antioxidant vitamins. A serving of blueberries provides approximately 30 percent of the recommended daily allowance of vitamin C, as well as 10 percent of the recommended daily allowance of vitamin E.

The anthocyanins found in blueberries, which are responsible for their colour, also act as antioxidants. The deeper the colour of a blueberry, the richer the antioxidant content.

Digestive health

Blueberries are a good source of fibre, so they can help to promote healthy digestion. The fibre helps to prevent constipation, while the vitamins and minerals contribute to improved digestion.

Anti-ageing

The high antioxidant content of blueberries makes them an excellent anti-ageing food. Free radicals can contribute to the signs of ageing by damaging cells. Over time, the effect accumulates and signs of ageing appear.

Antioxidants have been referred to as a ‘free radical sponge’, as they can soak up the free radicals and minimise the damage that they cause.

Eye health

Blueberries can be beneficial for eye health and reduce the risk of macular degeneration. The flavonoids, carotenoids, vitamin C, selenium and zinc are all very beneficial for eye health.

There are numerous vitamins and minerals in blueberries that can benefit brain function. These include anthocyanin, vitamin A, vitamin C, zinc and manganese, among others.

Research has found that the flavonoids in blueberries can improve memory and cognitive function.

As you get older you must support your brain health, blueberries have properties that help keep the brain healthy. Never underestimate how important brain health is, with cases of alzheimer’s disease increasing each year diet is an area people must start paying more attention to. As you age you need to counter the decline in your natural store of nutrients (Bones are are store of certain nutrients, as we get older that store gets depleted).

I know there are other factors when it comes to alzheimer’s disease, but diet is such an important area. Different superfoods have different health benefits, at smoothie lifestyle I explore these superfoods and give you amazing recipes.

You can get the amazing health benefits of blueberries in supplements (checkout the resources page for the supplements I use).

If you take away one thing from smoothie lifestyle, I hope its how important your brain health is.

Immune support

Blueberries can be beneficial for supporting the immune system. As well as the antioxidants that benefit the immune system, blueberries also contain copper and iron. Copper is effective at building immunity, while iron promotes immunity by increasing the haemoglobin and oxygen concentration.

A link has been found between diets that are high in blueberries and loss of belly fat. It is thought that the antioxidants in blueberries may change how the sugar is processed and stored. Blueberries are low in calories, so eating blueberries as a snack is a good strategy in a weight loss plan.

Ways to eat blueberries

Blueberries are very versatile, so they can be eaten in a variety of ways. They can be mixed with other berries and served with yoghurt or crème fraiche, or eaten with pancakes and waffles. They can also be used in crumbles and pies.

For a quick and easy way to include blueberries in a meal, they can be added to cereal or porridge for breakfast.