Super Food: Blueberry

As you might remember, not long ago we have decided to introduce the new "Super Food" series - mainly to talk about various products that you might see in a supermarket without acknowledging what a wonderful healthy value they have. If you have missed our previous post dedicated to Avocado, you can find it here.

Today we would like to talk about benefits of Blueberries. These are usually seasonal berries, but thanks to a massive cultivation and a developed import trade between countries - you may now find these at your local supermarket any time of the year basically. Blueberries are native to North America and were only introduced to Europe in 1930s. Blueberries might differ in size, but it is their bright indigo color that speaks of its ripe state. Below are some of the healthy facts about blueberries that are just mind blowing:

Blueberries are very low in calories and yet contain enough dietary fibers and nutrients for a balanced healthy diet;
Blueberries have one of the highest anti-oxidant capacities among all other fruits, vegetables and seasonings;
Blueberries help getting rid of some of the harmful free radicals that damage cellular structures in a human body;
These berries are a good source of Vitamins A, C and E;
B-vitamin elements found in blueberries help to boost metabolism of fats and protein;
Good amount of potassium, copper, iron and zinc found in blueberries has a positive impact on how your body controls its heart rate and blood pressure;
Blueberries are great for human's brain and nervous system - they also prevent hypertension;
Thanks to its anthocyanins - blueberries help prevent cancer by attacking free radicals that might cause it;
Blueberries' compounds prevent urinary tract infections being a good bladder aid;
Blueberries block the growth of tumor cells;
Blueberries reverse age related memory loss thanks to their flavonoids;
Blueberries affect genes related to fat burning and storage, which means you actually reduce your belly fat by eating the berries;
Consuming half a cup of blueberries - is considered a daily norm;
These berries not only look but taste delicious - so it is an overall win-win situation!

The best way that we suggest to consume blueberries - is of course to eat them in their natural ripe condition or mix them into a healthy fruit smoothie. When you buy a pack of blueberries, make sure they are organic and that there is no mold on the berries / they are not squashed or too moist. Those that are imported from California or South America are usually best in quality. Don't worry if a berry has a sour taste, it might be because it wasn't ripe enough when it was harvested. Deep blue color speaks of its perfectly ripe condition.