The blueberry is one of the healthiest foods and has the highest content of vitamins and antioxidants, which is why it is considered a “super fruit”.

In addition to its great taste, eating blueberries becomes a great ally for your body: it helps prevent disease, rejuvenates and is even ideal for a low-fat diet.

Properties and benefits of blueberries

If you want to know what the benefits of eating blueberries are, you can find the most important ones in the following lines.

1. Reduces the risk of cancer

Cancer is one of the most feared diseases by human beings, and in recent decades the number of cases of individuals with cancer has increased. According to estimates by the Spanish Society of Medical Oncology (SEOM), 220,000 cancer patients will be diagnosed in Spain by 2015.

Some studies have concluded that the consumption of this fruit can help fight the risk of proliferation of cancer cells when these are few and, moreover, they do so without damaging other cells. This is because blueberries contain gallic acid and resveratrol, two important compounds that help reduce the negative impact of cancer.

2. It is anti-inflammatory

Blueberries contain a large amount of antioxidants , one of the most important being proanthocyanidins. These chemicals are known to be potent anti-inflammatory agents. In this way they reduce some pathologies, since inflammation is one of the most common causes of diseases such as stiffness or muscle pain, to fibromyalgia.

3. Rejuvenates

The proanthocyanidins, present in this food , are also important for the body because they have a great capacity to combat other phenomena and to improve health. Furthermore, they seem to be useful in reversing the aging process in several ways, among them, by eliminating free radicals in the skin and other organs, to make the skin look healthy and young.

4. Prevents neurodegenerative diseases

Blueberries have substances that act as neuroprotective agents, in large part due to their massive antioxidant content discussed in the previous points.

Gallic acid plays a very important role in terms of neuronal function, since it prevents cognitive deterioration and the development of certain degenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s, by preventing the oxidation of cells in the brain, making them degenerate more slowly.

5. Prevents DNA damage

Oxidative damage can occur in our cells on a daily basis, and this oxidation is one of the reasons why humans age. That’s why antioxidants are so important. But oxidation can also affect DNA, and in this way mutations can occur, which in turn increase the risk of cancer developing. Research shows that eating blueberries daily decreases oxidative DNA damage by up to 20%.

6. Helps fight diabetes

A study published in 2010 in the Nutrition Journal states that eating this fruit improves insulin sensitivity in obese people who are resistant to this hormone . Therefore, eating blueberries can help fight against diabetes. Insulin is a hormone produced in the pancreas, which helps the body to metabolize carbohydrates properly, and prevents blood sugar from rising too high.

7. Promotes the presence of good cholesterol

As the U.S. Department of Agriculture states, the blueberry is the fruit with the highest amount of antioxidants, and it is considered one of the best foods to fight cholesterol. Cranberries increase the liver’s synthesis of good cholesterol or HDL and inhibit the formation of bad cholesterol or LDL.

8. Reduces blood pressure

Cranberries help lower and regulate blood pressure, in large part because they cause a greater flow of antioxidants and nutrients into the body, which prevents cholesterol buildup, and this usually helps the body function better.

Cranberries can also prevent blood glucose spikes by improving the body’s response to insulin. This means that the body carries nutrients better and the blood circulates more smoothly. Also, a recent study from the University of Florida concludes that daily consumption of cranberries may be key to lowering blood pressure.

9. Improves cognitive functions and memory

Cranberries have been shown to increase cognitive function in rats and humans . Cranberries have also been shown to improve memory. For one study, a group was asked to drink cranberry juice daily and a control group was asked to consume a placebo drink. The group that consumed the cranberry juice showed positive increases in partner learning and word recall.

10. Improves vision

The retina of the eyeball can also suffer oxidative damage, as it is a vulnerable tissue and can be easily damaged by inflammation or infection. Damage to the retina means that vision is impaired, so keeping the retina healthy is essential for maintaining vision in old age. Fortunately, blueberries contain large amounts of an antioxidant called anthocyanins, which prevent eye damage .

11. Helps reduce fat

Cranberries are ideal for a healthy diet and for losing weight , as they contain a large amount of fibre and are low in calories. This makes this fruit a healthy alternative, which helps regulate intestinal function and helps you feel fuller thanks to the fibre. In addition, several studies claim that blueberries stabilize blood sugar levels and prevent fat accumulation.

12. It helps to have better intimate relationships

Cranberries help increase the production of endogenous nitric oxide which is often associated with a lower risk of heart disease. Not only that, but nitric oxide is involved in penile erection. In fact, Viagra’s active ingredient, sildenafil, increases the levels of nitric oxide in the body to produce its effect. If you want to know how this happens, you can read this article: “Nitric oxide (neurotransmitter): definition and functions”.

13. Improves hair health

Cranberries improve hair health. B vitamin is good for increasing hair growth , because it improves oxygenation and blood circulation in the body, particularly in the scalp. In addition, the reduction of cholesterol is also positive in this regard, and anthocyanins help stimulate hair growth.

14. Take care of your skin

Antioxidants fight the presence of free radicals in the skin, which can cause severe damage to this area of the body. The phytochemicals and antioxidants present in the blueberry make the skin look smoother and younger . In addition, it is possible to use this fruit as a mask to fight acne.