There’s a good kind of blues—blueberries! One of the only fruits native to North America, for centuries blueberries were used by Native Americans for food, medicine and dye for clothing. This super fruit contains some of the highest levels of antioxidants available. Antioxidants serve to promote cellular health, benefiting heart, brain, and body. They’re low in calories and glycemic index, which makes them a great snack in our efforts to maintain (or finally get to) a healthy body weight.
A study from the Harvard School of Public Health and Harvard Medical School led by Dr. Eric Rimm says, “Women who ate the fewest blueberries and strawberries were at increased risk of heart attack…. Why just blueberries and strawberries? These berries are particularly rich in chemical compounds called anthocyanins. Research suggests that anthocyanins have several effects on the body. They lower blood pressure, and they make blood vessels more elastic.”
In case that little tidbit didn’t convince you, and also because July is blueberry month, we’re giving you 20 facts about blueberry nutrition.
1. Low Cal
Blueberries are low in calories (84 calories for 1 cup) and are high in both fiber and Vitamin C. They also contain catechins, which activate fat-burning genes in abdominal fat cells to assist with weight loss, and belly fat loss in particular. According to research at Tufts University, regularly ingesting catechins increases abdominal fat loss by 77 percent and double total weight loss.” Say what?!
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