Blueberries are one of the most heart healthy fruit available. Who would have
ever thought that something so delicious can be so good for you? Just one cup of
blueberries each day (whether they are fresh, frozen, or dried) can have a major
impact upon your health.
Blueberries are very rich in antioxidants. The antioxidants in this particular
fruit reduce the buildup of “bad” LDL cholesterol. This “bad” LDL cholesterol if
left untreated can contribute to cardiovascular disease and stroke. Compared to
40 other fruit and vegetables, blueberries rank number in antioxidant activity.
Antioxidant activity is very important because it can help neutralize harmful
byproducts of metabolism, called free radical. These free radicals can
eventually lead to cancer and other age related diseases. By consuming
blueberries we slow down or prevent the damage that is caused by these free
radicals. The beneficial antioxidant that is found in blueberries is called
Anthocyanin. This particular compound can also be found in blackberries, black
raspberries, black currants, and red grapes; however, the highest level is found
in blueberries.
Adding blueberries into your daily diet is easy. You can buy them fresh, frozen
or dried. Of course fresh fruit always offers the highest number of nutrients
since no processing was required. When purchasing dried blueberries, try to
purchase some that were not processed or chemically treated; usually the best
place to go is the greenery or other organic food shop. You can add this dried
fruit into your morning cereal or oatmeal. If you chose to purchase frozen
blueberries, all you have to do is defrost them and add them to your favorite
yogurt or eat them plain. There are countless ways to add more blueberries into
your diet and with all of their health benefits who wouldn’t want to.