Blueberries Health Benefits

Blueberries health benefits are often overlooked or not even cared about since they are so delicious. Just imagine the taste of a blueberry pie topped with whipped cream.

Here are some facts about blueberries and their nutritional value for those who are concerned about calories. But please note that not all calories are created equal.

One cup of unsweetened, fresh blueberries which is about 5.1 oz, contains just 83 healthy calories. These calories are so healthy because they give you zero cholesterol, a mere 1mg of sodium, 21 grams of carbohydrates and 14.4 grams of non-refined sugars. You also get 3.5 grams of dietary fiber, a gram of protein, 8.7 mg of calcium and 111.7 mg of potassium.

Health Benefits of Blueberries

1. One of the benefits of eating blueberries is it increases longevity. That's right. Much research has uncovered that this is one of the amazing facts about blueberries. They have anti-oxidants that act to protect your nerve cells and your neurological functioning. A regular diet of blueberries helps enhance your memory and your ability to learn new things. This also means that you are less at risk to develop age-related brain degeneration diseases.
   
   
   
2. Blueberries are rich in the antioxidant pterostilbene, pronounced as "tare-oh-still-bean". Pterostilbene has been thoroughly researched and there is no question that it acts to lower your levels of LDL cholesterol, that's the "bad" kind of cholesterol that sticks to your inner arterial walls and leads to high blood pressure and heart disease.
   
   
   
3. Improved eyesight. During WW II, British pilots were given regular feedings of bilberries, which are first cousins to blueberries. The pilots were adamant that the bilberries improved their night vision. Subsequent research on blueberries has concluded that they possess the same quality. In fact, not only do they give you better eyesight in the dark, they help prevent macular degeneration too.
   
   
   
4. Agricultural Research Service neuroscientist James Joseph says, "Loss of mental agility may be less due to loss of brain cells than to the cells' failure to communicate effectively." Blueberries contain a mixture of vitamins and minerals that enhance the neuron and ganglion connections in the brain, meaning they keep your mind youthful even into old age.
   
   
   
5. Blueberries are rich in Anthocyanins and Ellagic Acid. These are two anti-oxidants that prevent and can even help reverse cancer.
   
   
   
6. Research has proven that blueberry juice helps prevent or cure urinary tract infections. The juice is inimical to the infectious bacteria.
   
   
   
7. Another one of the many blueberries health benefits is that it aids in weight loss. You get good amounts of dietary fiber. Fruits and vegetables help increase your metabolism and when you satisfy your sweet tooth with blueberries instead of refined sugars, you cut out one of the major causes of being overweight. Since blueberries taste good, they help you stay on your diet, too.
   
   
   
8. Prevention of osteoporosis. This is due to the rich mixture of the vitamins and minerals in blueberries.

This information on blueberries health benefits is educational and it is not intended to replace standard medical care or advice. If you have a medical condition, please consult a physician.

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