Don’t Feel Blue– Eat Blue!
With its peak harvesting season being the month of July, this month is the time to celebrate the tiny berry that packs a huge punch. Blueberries, are native to North America and though they are small, they are one of the most nutritious fruits in the world. One cup contains only 100 calories, provides 14% of the daily recommended amount of fiber, and a quarter of the daily recommended amount of vitamin C.
Though these are wonderful health benefits, the blueberry’s real claim to fame is its high antioxidant content. They are the highest of any fruit for their free-radical fighting properties. The antioxidants in blueberries come from anthocyanins, a group of flavonoids that are responsible for their deep blue to purple color. Not only do these antioxidants help fight cancer, but they also protect against oxidative stress, a disorder that is associated with aging and disease susceptibility.
Research has also been conducted on the connection between blueberries and brain health. The antioxidants in blueberries protect the nervous system and possibly improve memory, learning and motor skills in humans. In addition, they are also associated with improved heart health, prevention of urinary tract infections, and also contain chemicals called stilbenes that may help lower cholesterol.
Don’t judge it by its size—when it comes to health benefits, the tiny blueberry can take on the best of fruits! Whether eating them as a snack, adding them to cereal, oatmeal, yogurt, smoothies or baked goods there is no better time than July to start reaping the incredible blueberry benefits today!
Want a great blueberry recipe to try in celebration of this super fruit? Check out my Free Healthy Recipes and try the Crunchy Blueberry Granola Bars!
Your turn to take action: How will you incorporate blueberries into your eating plan this month?
I love blueberries Bonnie. Just wish I could get them all year. I eat ’em in yogurt and really like putting them in smoothies. And, sometimes, I just ’em “raw.”
Thanks!
~Debra
Hi Debra, I just posted a recipe for blueberry granola bars under Free Healthy Recipes on my website…give it a try. Here’s the link. https://brghealth.com/crunchy-blueberry-granola-bars/
Blueberries are already in my eating plan. I have a fruit every morning for breakfast – at this time of year it is either local strawberries or (still not local) blueberries. Our blueberries won’t be ripe here until later in the month. I love u-pick blueberries because they are at a good height to pick and last a long time in the refrigerator. They are almost the perfect fruit, in my opinion.
Agreed, they are the perfect fruit. Love ’em!
Mmm, mmm, mmm….love blueberries! My mom and my my aunt used to make blueberry dumplings when I was a child. It was so yummy. This post really brings back fond memories for me.
I’m so glad! Thanks for your comment…now head on out for some blueberries!