One of the better things about 2017 is the tendency of consumers becoming more and more health conscious and educating themselves on true well-being. Basic nutrition is one of the aspects enjoying more and more attention, with superfoods taking center stage as the buzzword. One of the elite members of what is currently known as superfoods are blueberries – and it is becoming more and more popular – for obvious reasons.
According to Roger Horak – the co-founder and Global CEO of OZblu blueberries – a recent independent research survey of over 2000 people revealed that the health benefits of blueberries are one of the primary purchase drivers for the majority of respondents.
Why Are They So Popular?
The perceived health and nutritional value, along with the taste, convenience, and child-friendly characteristics, are included in the reasons most consumers are willing to buy blueberries.
Most consumers are aware of the fact that blueberries are densely packed with antioxidants, but what they might not know is how dense exactly. The Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity (ORAC) score of blueberries – which is a lab test attempting to quantify the “total antioxidant capacity” of a food – stands at 9621. This score places the blueberry very high on the list of most potent antioxidant-rich foods. Its numerous health benefits are a result of its high levels of vitamin C, vitamin K and manganese.
They Protect You From All Sorts Of Ailments
These include the prevention of different ailments, including high blood pressure, heart disease and cancer, whilst combatting aging, supporting digestion and benefiting the skin. A study conducted by the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign on prostate cancer showed that the anthocyanins found in blueberries may attack cancer-causing free-radicals and prevent tumor cells from forming. Read more about the study by following the link.
In addition, blueberries contain a very high amount of phenols, in particular gallic acid, and are known as “neuro-protective agents”, explains Horak. They can therefore protect the brain from degeneration, boost memory and focus.
These little fruits can also be eaten to prevent urinary tract infections. Doctors often recommend cranberries for their compounds that prevent bacteria from sticking to bladder walls, and blueberries contain the same kind of substances that inhibit bacteria from binding to bladder tissue.
Blueberries Are Even Guilt-Free!
Lastly, they can be enjoyed by weight-watchers as well as those looking for overall wellness, because of their low sugar content and Glycaemic Index. This is in spite of the fact that they don’t taste like the typical health foods, and the new varieties are sweet, tangy and rich in taste. They are also loaded with fiber, with just a handful being sufficient to supply you with your daily fiber requirement.
