Many know berries to be a delicious snack or addition to any favorite recipe, but did you know how incredibly healthy berries are?
We’re not talking one type of berry…we are talking all berries! Strawberries, blueberries, blackberries and raspberries all provide many benefits to your health.
Let’s start out with the crowd favorite…strawberries!
Aside from being an excellent diet choice, (only 83 calories for a cup) strawberries provide heart health benefits to pack a punch against heart disease. Today, heart disease continues to be the leading cause of death worldwide! Consuming strawberries regularly can improve HDL (good) cholesterol, blood pressure, and blood platelets function significantly.
Diabetics also benefit from strawberries. As we all know, carbohydrates are broken down into simple sugars (glucose) and released into the bloodstream. For a diabetic with high blood sugar, this could be bad news; however, strawberries slow down glucose digestion and reduce spikes in both glucose and insulin following a carb-rich meal, compared to a carb-rich meal without strawberries.
Blueberries are next!
Hello, antioxidants! Blueberries are known to be one of the highest ranking antioxidant-containing fruits, satisfying your daily requirement in just a single cupful. In addition to the plethora of nutrients packed into these bite-sized treats, blueberries are linked to improved cognitive function. Take that Alzheimers and Dementia! Blueberries are known to be a fighter of age-related diseases such as high blood pressure, inflammation and memory issues.
Moving on to blackberries…. the ultimate cancer fighter!
Low in calories, high in fiber, and rich with vitamin C… you can’t beat it! Also, the rich, dark purple hue of blackberries is caused by the antioxidant, anthocyanin. This antioxidant in particular assists in blocking the genetic mutation of our cells that turn into cancer. Anthocyanin is also a natural protector from the sun, blocking harmful UV rays that could eventually turn into skin cancer.
Last, but certainly not least, is raspberries.
In addition to their Vitamin C richness, one of the greatest benefits of raspberries is their high fiber content. As you can see from the nutritional facts above, raspberries have an impressive 8 grams of fiber per cup. Almost twice as much as other berries! We can’t forget about the importance of gut health! Fiber assists our gut in allowing good bacteria to flourish and making us feel fuller for a longer period of time. Say goodbye to the days of over-eating.
So the next time you want to reach for a snack, do some good for your body and reach for those berries.
Sources:
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/foods/strawberries#bottom-line
https://www.livestrong.com/article/231114-what-are-the-health-benefits-of-blackberries/
