Nutrition Series: 2.5
Dr. Greg Anderson, Chiropractor
August 25, 2014
Orcutt Office (805) 934-5761
Buellton Office (805) 883-8083
8 Reasons to Eat Blueberries
What Is So Great About Those
Blueberries?
Here are 8 reasons to add blueberries to
your diet.
1. Blueberries are relatively low in
calories. A 1-cup serving of blueberries
contains only 80 calories.
2. Blueberries are chock full of
nutrients. Blueberries are packed with
vitamins C, E, riboflavin, niacin, folate,
iron,
magnesium,
potassium
and
manganese. They are full of fiber' with
nearly 4 gram of fiber per 1 cup serving.
3. Blueberries may promote heart
health. Blueberries contain a category of
phytonutrients called polyphenols which
have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory
properties and can contribute to heart
health and a reduction of other chronic
diseases. Blueberries may also help
lower blood pressure. A study conducted
on obese subjects with metabolic
syndrome, found that those who
consumed a blueberry beverage over an
eight-week period had a decrease in
their blood pressure when compared to
those who consumed a placebo
beverage.
4. Blueberries may improve insulin
sensitivity. A study found that drinking
blueberry smoothies helped pre-diabetic
obese adults improve insulin sensitivity.
Anthocyanins, compounds in blueberries
that give them their blue hue, contain
antioxidant properties, which may
contribute to improved insulin sensitivity.
5. Blueberries may contribute to brain
health
and
improve
cognitive
function. A study found that object
memory loss that occurs normally with
aging can be not only prevented but also
reversed
by
feeding
older
rats
blueberries. Blueberries increase the
production of feel-good dopamine.
Dopamine is a natural neurotransmitter
(brain messenger) that tends to be low in
Parkinson’s.
6. Blueberries may help fight cancer.
They are a rich source of the
phytonutrients ellagic acid. Ellagic acid
has proven anticancer and geneticmaterial-protection capabilities.
It
also encourages a healthy rate of
apoptosis' how the body seeks out and
destroys harmful or damaged cells, like
cancer cells.
7. Blueberries contain catechins.
These chemicals activate fat-burning
genes in abdominal fat cells to assist
with weight loss, and belly fat loss in
particular. According to research at
Tufts University, regularly ingesting
catechins increases abdominal fat loss
by 77 percent and double total weight
loss.
8. And finally, blueberries taste great.