6 Reasons You Should Eat Berries Every Day
If you want to increase your brain function, improve your immune system, and/or lose weight, all you need to do is go the your local farmer’s market and stock up on some berries. These fruits offer so many health benefits that you should definitely eat them every day. Here are 6 reasons to start munching on berries today.
They Keep You Mentally Sharp
When it comes to mental health, it’s best to eat blueberries and strawberries. Just by eating one serving of blueberries or two servings of strawberries every week, you’ll experience less of a mental decline than your peers later on. The reason why they keep you mentally sharp is because they contain compounds that are almost exclusively found in berries. These compounds are known as anthocyanidins, and represent a type of flavonoid.
According to a study conducted by the University of Cincinnati Academic Health Center, blueberries are also responsible for improving memory in older adults.
They Help Manage Diabetes
Berries represent a great serving of fruit for anyone that’s suffering from diabetes, since they contain a lot of fiber. However, know that there’s a difference between drinking berry juice and eating actual berries. Namely, fruit juice contains a lot of added sugar and doesn’t contain fiber. On the other hand, eating fresh berries will provide you with all the health benefits that these fruits are known for.
They Are Great For Athletes
Whether you’re a professional or amateur athlete, it’s definitely a great idea to eat more berries. If you’ve ever felt like it’s simply too painful and difficult for you to do just about any task, then you should without a doubt eat more of these fruits. When you feel like it’s too painful for you to even get out of your chair a day or two after an intense workout, know that you’re most likely experiencing delayed onset muscle soreness.
This is caused by a huge amount of micro-tears in your muscles. Fortunately, a surefire way to reduce this muscle soreness it to eat a lot of berries. Note that by eating blueberries regularly, you’ll significantly reduce inflammation and oxidative stress.
They Are Great For Cardiovascular Health
What makes berries really awesome is that they can even reduce the risk of suffering from heart diseases even for people with an inherited risk for these diseases. By eating fresh berries, you will not only significantly reduce the chances of a heart attack, but you will also allow your blood to flow more smoothly, as these fruits will widen your arteries.
A study published by the Department of Nutrition of the Norwich Medical School found that women who ate three or more servings of strawberries or blueberries weekly reduced their chances of suffering from a heart attack by as much as 34 percent.
They Help You Lose Weight
Weight loss will provide you with countless health benefits and will without a doubt improve your quality of life. If you’re searching for a way to lose weight effectively, know that berries can help you on this mission.
Berries are high in fiber, which is why they will make you feel full for a longer period of time and surely prevent you from overeating. You can eat them plain, or you can mix berries with some almonds for a great energy-boosting snack.
They Are Incredibly Nutritious
Berries are some of the most nutritionally dense fruits on the planet, as they are completely packed with antioxidants. A study that was published by the Nutrition Journal back in 2010 revealed that blackberries contain much more antioxidants than strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries.