Why You Should Be Eating Blueberries Every Day

We all have things about our health and wellness that we battle with on a daily basis. Maybe it's that dull skin or lack-lustre hair (that makes you want to pull your hair out in frustration). Or, maybe it's that sluggishness you feel when you rise in the morning — not quite ready to face what you're certain will be another busy and stress-filled day. Or maybe, it's that mental fogginess you feel around 3 pm, when all you want to do is crawl under a blanket (or your desk) and take a power nap. If any of these sound like something you deal with on a daily basis, we have something that just might help: Blueberries!

For such a small fruit, blueberries are surprisingly mighty — we like to call them our little blue wonder berries — and are easy to incorporate into your daily diet. Our fave ways to eat them? Toss them into your morning smoothie, sprinkle them over steel-cut oatmeal or overnight oats, add a handful to your salad or grain bowl or even incorporate them into your favourite banana bread recipe. 

So, if you're looking to get a lot of nutritional bang for your buck, keep reading for our top 6 reasons you need to start eating these antioxidant-rich, cancer-fighting and health-boosting powerhouses, every day.

They beat cancer

Blueberries are chock-full of the mighty antioxidant, proanthocyanidin. In fact, they have actually been touted as one of the richest sources of antioxidants in the world! A mighty feat despite their tiny size. The antioxidants found in blueberries can help reverse damage caused by toxins and free radicals, which is how they can help fight diseases such as Cancer. Another added bonus to these antioxidants: they assist in stalling the aging process!

They'll help you shed those unwanted pounds

Very low in calories, blueberries are considered a low glycemic index fruit. This means that you can eat blueberries every single day and not worry that they are spiking your blood sugar levels (which can contribute to feeling sluggish and tired, lead to over-eating and increase abdominal fat) or adding too many empty calories to your diet. 

They improve brain power & mental clarity

Blueberries contain a high level of phenols, one in particular called Gallic Acid. Gallic acid has been referred to as a "neuro-protective agent", which essentially means that it helps protect the brain from the damage associated with aging and can protect our brains from oxidative stress and degeneration. In more simple terms, they help keep our brain healthy, improve concentration, enhance memory (great for us busy Moms!) and can help you think more clearly. 

They give you vibrant & healthy skin

Thanks to all those antioxidants and a hefty dose of resveratrol (the potent substance found in red wine, grapes and dark chocolate), blueberries are becoming sought after not only in our diets, but as a beauty product as well. Resveratrol has been shown to reduce the effects of sun exposure and help improve skin clarity.

They provide cardiovascular benefits

These wonder berries also have the added benefit of providing our bodies with cardiovascular benefits. In repeated studies of blood composition, blueberry intake has been shown to lower LDL cholesterol, lower triglycerides and raise HDL (good) cholesterol naturally. They have also been shown to lower blood pressure and some evidence additionally shows that regular blueberry intake can reduce the risk of heart attack.

They fight the dreaded I-word (Inflammation)

Inflammation is a definite buzz word these days in the health and wellness world. It seems to be what's to blame for almost every disease and condition out there (Cancer, Leaky Gut, Arthritis, Heart Disease, Asthma, Allergies and Alzheimers - need we say more?). The good news: blueberries have been shown to combat Inflammation in our bodies (again, need we say more?). Our advice: go buy some (preferably organic, because of the high levels of pesticides on conventional berries) of these super berries today and add them to your favourite meals!

→ If you enjoyed this article, read on for 5 Simple Ways To Bust Sugar From Your Diet