Overview:
Blueberries are perhaps the best-known antioxidant fruit out there. Containing the highest antioxidant capacity of all fresh fruit, blueberries make a nutritious and delicious addition to your daily diet!
Benefits:
One cup of blueberries contains over 13,000 antioxidants, which is nearly 10 times the USDA’s daily recommended amount of antioxidants. These antioxidants include fat-soluble vitamins A and C and flavonoids such as querticin and anthocyanidin (which gives these berries their characteristic deep purple color). These antioxidants work to neutralize free radicals in the body, affecting both the risk of disease and the aging process. Blueberries’ high concentrations of vitamin A have a protective effect on vision and can help prevent macular degeneration, cataracts, myopia, hypermetropia, eye dryness, and infections. Blueberries also help lower LDL cholesterol (aka “the bad cholesterol”), thus having a beneficial effect on heart disease.
Blueberries that are dark and rich in color contain more of these beneficial antioxidants. When picking out blueberries go for the ones that are firm, bright, and don’t clump together: these are the ones that will have the greatest health benefits!
Side Effects:
Blueberries are likely safe when consumed in typical quantities. Blueberries may lower blood sugar levels, causing hypoglycemia in patients with diabetes. Use caution when consuming blueberries if you have diabetes, as it may interact with certain diabetes medications.
Sources:
http://www.webmd.com/
http://www.blueberrycouncil.org/
http://www.womenfitness.net/
http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-supplements
Research done by Ms. Christina Perri