According to new (and apparently vast) research, the blueberries health benefits are something to write home about. The five studies published in The Journals of Gerontology, Series A: Biological Sciences and Medical Sciences show that the blue and purple berries, rich in antioxidants, tend to lower blood pressure, improve your memory and slow down the aging process.
The small blue and purple berries are not only tasty then, but also help keep your body healthier and prepare you for an easier and healthier retirement. That doesn’t mean that you should wait and eat them when you’re past a certain age, you should more likely make sure that you feed your body now and reap the blueberries health benefits later in life, too.
The five studies published recently analyzed the effects the berries have on your body. They help with possible inflammation, they help you deal with changes in memory and also are a good bet on helping you avoid age-related diseases.
Blueberries health benefits: the head and the heart
One of the studies found that eating blueberries, about one cup per day, may decrease your systolic blood pressure, which relates to the amount of pressure on your arteries when the heart muscle contracts. At the same time, one cup of blueberries can improve the function of your blood vessels.
Beyond the benefits to your circulatory systems, it would seem that blueberries also keep your brain (and cognitive function) healthier. Older adults were seen to have improved memory and cognitive function thanks to eating blueberries. The polyphenols found in blueberries were the catalyst for improved episodic memory in elderly people who were healthy but had poor memory performance.
Yet another study found that eating blueberries can lead to a reduction in inflammation, which means fewer age-related diseases.
You can eat blueberries fresh or frozen but also as tea! And of course, you can eat them as is or bake with them! Check out the recipe for this crumble.
Find more blueberry recipes on our website!
