There are a lot more than ten reasons why you should include blueberries in your daily diet, but we want to share just these ten with you and hope that you will give these super berries that they are a chance to be a part of your daily diet!
We started growing blueberries at Castleton in 2006 and we are the most northerly blueberry growers in the world, as far as we know. Every year we see more customers buying blueberries not just for their delicious taste but their nutritional value, so here are our favourite reasons why we think you should include them in your mealtime.
1. There is more and more evidence about blueberries fighting the effects of the common form of dementia.
More and more research suggests that blueberries are loaded with antioxidants which could not only lower the risk of heart disease and cancer, but also help prevent the effects of the increasingly common form of dementia.
In 2016 a study from the University of Cincinnati in the US suggested that that antioxidants contained in blueberries could help fight dementia.
2. Blueberries help with improving memory and concentration, along with the mood of your children.
In 2015, research from Reading University found that wild blueberries could boost primary schoolchildren’s memory and concentration. And this year, the same University found that consuming flavonoid-rich foods such as wild blueberries can have a significantly positive effect on young people’s mood.
3. Blueberries are good for your hair.
Chemicals found in blueberries, stimulate hair growth by accelerating the transition from telogen (rest stage of new sell production) to anagen (growth stage of new sell production).
Not only that, the abundance of vitamin B12 in vitamins can help with your hair going grey prematurely.
Blueberries are rich in anthocyanins flavonoids. these compounds may reduce inflammation, boost immunity and reduce the risk of heart disease. Inflammation is your body’s natural response. In some cases, it’s protective, like swelling a sprained muscle.
4. Anti-Diabetic Effects of blueberries.
The British Medical Journal along with lots of other research worldwide shows that anthocyanins in blueberries can have beneficial effects on insulin sensitivity and glucose metabolism, and improved insulin sensitivity should lower the risk of metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes, which are currently some of the world’s biggest health problems.
5. Blueberries are anti-inflammatory.
Blueberries are rich in anthocyanins flavonoids. These compounds may reduce inflammation, boost immunity and reduce the risk of heart disease. Inflammation is your body’s natural immune response. In some cases, it’s protective, like a swelling of sprained muscle, but in others, it can be chronic and progressive and can play a role in chronic diseases and conditions such as heart disease, chronic pain, age-related diseases, memory loss, and autoimmune diseases. Eat more blueberries to protect your body’s cells against inflammatory damage.
6. They are your healthy weight loss champion.
Blueberries are low in fat and calories and contain fibre, making them a great addition to a healthy, slimming diet. An 80g serving – around 2 handfuls or 4 heaped table spoons – counts as one of your 5-a-day and contains just 46 calories and 0.3g fat. They also have a high water content, which makes them hydrating for your skin and other cells of the body. Add them to your salad for colour, taste and instant health boost!
7. Healthy heart for young and middle-aged women.
A study in 2012 of 93,000 women found that participants who ate three or more portions of blueberries and strawberries a week had a 32% lower risk of a heart attack compared with those who ate berries once a month or less.
8. Blueberries are great for improving your digestion.
Just a couple of handfuls of blueberries a day can help improve your digestion. Blueberries are rich in fibre which can help prevent constipation and their vitamins along with sodium, copper, fructose and acids can help improve your digestion by stimulating the correct gastric and digestive juices to move food through your system.
9. They are good for the health of your eyes.
Not only the nutrients in blueberries protect the retina of the eye from unwanted sunlight and damage from oxygen, they can prevent or delay all age-related ocular problems like macular degeneration, cataracts, myopia, dryness and much more.
10. Blueberries taste great!
Add them to your salad, smoothie, porridge, cereal or fruit salad and enjoy their delicious taste while your body enjoys their endless beneficial properties!
