By Scrubadoo‘s Jen Hankin
Time to stock up on berries! Did you know eating lots of berries, fresh or frozen, could help improve your overall heath? Blueberries, strawberries, raspberries, and blackberries are loaded with several health benefits due to their high level of phytochemicals — naturally occurring nutrients which help protect cells from damage, according to registered dietitian Nancy Copperman, MS, RD, CDN and Everydayhealth.com
Berries Help In Weight Loss
Because of their fiber and liquid content, berries give a sense of fullness, Copperman says, and the feeling sated is an important part of managing your diet program.
Berries Keep You Mentally Smart
According to Annals of Neurology, women who eat two servings of strawberries or one serving of blueberries a week experienced less mental decline over time than those eat less. In the study, researchers reviewed data from 16,010 women over age 70. Those with the highest berry intake postponed cognitive decline by about two and a half years.
Berries Help Manage Diabetes
Whole fruit berries are sweet, but a different type of sweet then fruit juices or fruit flavored pies. Berries are not only the accepted kind of sweet in a diabetic diet, but they are also high in fiber!
Studies Show Berries Help Prevent Parkinson’s
People who eat at least two servings of berries a week have a 25 % less chance of developing Parkinson’s disease than those who do not, according to research published in the journal Neurology.
Berries Can Lower Blood Pressure
Dietitians and physicians alike recommend a diet high in fresh fruits and vegetables to keep numbers in line. “This benefit goes back to the antioxidant properties they all share, and also your genetic predisposition,” Copperman states.
Fight Urinary Tract Infections with Berries
Cranberries are the berry most closely associated with urinary tract health, but Copperman says that nutrition-dense blueberries seem to be helpful as well.
Berries Fight Off Cancer
Research published in the Journal of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Analysis suggests that flavonoids and other compounds found in berries may help reduce colon cancer risk.
