Health Benefits of Berries
One of my favorite things about Summer is the abundance of all sorts of berries! Plus, since the Affordable Care Act is getting more attention, more folks are trying to practice healthy habits. With that being said, I decided that it would be a good idea to highlight some of my favorite benefits of berries, which I hope will encourage you to continue eating these delicious Summer treats!
Strawberry – This berry is full of vitamins C, K, B1, B6 iodine, pantothenic acid, manganese, biotin, and folic acid. Strawberries have been linked to the prevention of coronary heart diseases, cancer, and Alzheimer’s disease.
Açaí berry – This berry is full of antioxidants, which helps with the removal of harmful toxins in the body. When you remove toxins from the body, it prevents you from feeling lethargic. If you aren’t feeling lethargic, you’ll be more likely to have the energy you need to exercise.
Huckleberry – This berry is full of antioxidants, vitamins A, B, C, and contains sodium, iron, potassium, and calcium. Huckleberries are also full of iron, which results in healthy red blood cells.
Juniper Berry – This berry contains vitamins A, B, C, D, and E. Juniper berries are a natural stimulant, diuretic, and antiseptic. Juniper berries have also been used to help treat arthritis and open wounds.
Raspberry – This berry is full of antioxidants, flavonoids, and a good source of vitamin C, magnesium, folate, potassium, riboflavin, copper, niacin, and manganese. Raspberries also contain B vitamins and a healthy amount of soluble dietary fiber.
Loganberry – This berry is packed with nutrients and is high in vitamins C, K, copper, fiber, folate, and manganese.
Lingonberry – This berry is full of vitamins A, B, C, and contains phosphorus, calcium, potassium, magnesium, and sodium. Lingonberries have anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antihistamineproperties, and helps promote both bone and blood health.
Blueberry – This berry contains carotenoids, flavonoids, vitamins A, C, E, copper, magnesium, manganese, selenium, sodium, potassium, phosphorus, and zinc. Blueberries have anti aging benefits, helps treat urinary tract infections, boosts the immune system, prevent cancer, and heart disease. It’s no wonder this berry is so popular amongst us health geeks.
Dewberry – This berry is packed with vitamins A and C, and have traces of vitamins E, K, and copper, zinc, and magnesium, protein, and fiber.
Cranberry – This berry is a natural antioxidant and is a natural anti-inflammatory. Cranberries can prevent and cure urinary tract infections (also known as bladder infections), and I can tell you that I know that this works first hand. If you want to benefit from cranberries, make sure you don’t add sugar!
Red Currant – This berry is full of vitamin C, fiber, potassium, and iron. Red Currants are full of antioxidants and they are full of nutrients that are known to prevent forms of cancer.
Black Currant – This berry is packed with nutrients: More vitamin C than oranges, more potassium than bananas, double the antioxidants of blueberries (wow!), and Currants even have more antioxidants than Açaí berries.
Mulberry – This berry has antioxidants that improve eyesight and contains iron, calcium, carbohydrates, fiber, magnesium, potassium, and phosphorus.
Black Mulberry – This berry is full of healthy nutrients such as iron, fiber, calcium, potassium, magnesium, and phosphorus. Mulberries have been show to help with hair growth and may even prevent premature gray hairs.
Blackberry – This berry is packed with several healthy macronutrients, including vitamins A, C, calcium, and potassium. Blackberries are high in fiber, polyunsaturated fats, and carbohydrates – making blackberries a heart healthy snack.
Elderberry – This berry is full of anthocyanins, which has been shown to have many health benefits, including boosting the immune system and naturally reducing LDL (bad) cholesterol levels.
Goji Berry – This berry is full of antioxidants, increases stamina and endurance, prevent cancer, improve memory, and strengthens the heart and your immune system. Gogi berries also stimulate the secretion by the pituitary gland of hGH, which helps you sleep better, restores the libido and helps in the reduction of body fat.
Again, please keep in mind that this is not a complete list of all of the health benefits – it’s only a highlight of some of the many health benefits associated with each berry!
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