Enjoying Summer Fruit

As summer begins to settle in, it's a great time to enjoy fresh fruits and berries that we have not had as much access to during the winter months.  One of my favorites that I am looking forward to eating are fresh blueberries - delicious!  They are a welcome addition to my morning bowl of cereal.

As an added perk, blueberries also have some wonderful health benefits; mainly in the form of antioxidants:

1. They are full of disease-fighting nutrients and minerals, like zinc, selenium, copper, iron, and Vitamin C, to name a few.  These elements also target and eliminate free radicals that contribute to the aging process.

2. In one study from the University of Michigan, daily blueberry consumption in rats led to decreased stores of abdominal fat, lower triglycerides, lower cholesterol, and improved fasting glucose levels.

3. Blueberries have also been found to promote urinary tract health, preserve vision, and aid in digestive health to relieve constipation.

4. In addition, several studies conducted by the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry have shown a significant reduction in colon and ovarian cancer.

These are just a few of the researched benefits of incorporating blueberries into your diet.  One thing to keep in mind, though, is that enjoying blueberries should still be part of a diet well-balanced in fruits and vegetables!  It's important to remember there is no such thing as one "super-food" that you should eat to the exclusion of other parts of a well-balanced diet.

If you want to read more about the benefits of blueberries, the article below helps to shed some light on what the current research shows.  It is always a good idea to stay informed about your food choices from sources that are reliable!

Little Blue Fruit, Big on Health