‘Berry-berry’ Healthy!

What do you exactly call a sweet and sour, round, soft and colorful (purple, red, blue, etc) little edible thing that is ‘berry’ delicious and fulfilling? 

Well yes, berries! 

With a very high nutritional profile, these vibrant natural candies are considered to be an essential factor in stimulating a healthy lifestyle. Apart from just being delicious and handy, they also provide your body with cognitive health benefits like reduced risks of cancer, cardiovascular diseases, lower cholesterol and blood pressure levels, and much more. 

Different berries are unique in their way and provide varied advantages to your body in multiple ways. From blueberries, raspberries to blackberries and strawberries, almost all berries are rich in fiber, vitamin c, and vitamin a that eventually does real good to your body. They are good sources of antioxidants, and often contain a very minimal amount of sugar that does not cause harm to your body, as natural sugar is healthy. 

Not only this, selective berries can do much more good to your body, and I am sure you want to know how exactly does this happens!

So here are 4 different berries and their respective health benefits:

BLUEBERRY 

Rich Source of Antioxidants: Blueberries contain a natural chemical compound called anthocyanin, which makes them blue and healthy. Among all fruits and veggies, blueberries have the highest content of antioxidants, that help prevent cardiovascular and neurological diseases.

Controls Blood Sugar Levels & Obesity: Individuals facing blood sugar level issues and insulin resistance problems may rely on blueberry consumption to prevent such complications. Blueberries have a comparatively low glycemic index that regulates blood sugar levels. They also significantly reduce the effects of fatty and calorie-rich consumption habits that in turn cause a lessening of obesity levels in the body.

Improves Brain Health: The flavonoids present in blueberries help in improving memory, and brain health and slows down mental aging. By reducing the stress levels in nerve cells and the entire nervous system, blueberries facilitate the smooth functioning of the body.

RASPBERRY

Enhances Sexual Health: In men, raspberries improve sperm count and longevity of sperm life due to their magnesium content, whereas in women, it helps in protecting the embryo after conception and eliminates chances of miscarriage. They may also boost the production of sex hormones in the body.

Reduces Risks of Developing Cancer: Raspberries are rich in antioxidants, anti-inflammatory compounds, and phytonutrients that assist in cancer prevention. They reduce the chances of the formation of cancer cells in the body. 

Promotes Better Tissue & Blood Vessel Health: Being rich in Vitamin C, raspberries aid repair and regeneration of wounded tissues, and improves blood flow in blood vessels. This induces better overall body health. Due to their rich iron content, raspberries also promote red blood cell formation. 

BLACKBERRY

Promote Better Bone Health: Blackberries are excessively rich in Vitamin K which is essential for strong bones. Consumption of 1 bowl of blackberries is capable of fulfilling all your daily Vitamin K needs. It also prevents chances of bone thinning, and fractures. Improved bone health due to blackberries also lowers the chances of developing complications due to bone marrow or bone joints.

Improves Oral Health: Blackberries successfully prevent the growth of bacteria that cause poor oral health. Its content of gallic acid, and ellagic acid promotes antibacterial and anti-pathogenic qualities. It can also be used to treat oral or gum infections. 

Boosts immunity: Being excessively rich in vitamins, minerals, and compounds like phytoestrogens and phytonutrients, blackberries help in improving the immune system of the body. It protects the body from any kind of viral or bacterial infection, illness, and complications. 

STRAWBERRY

Helps Maintain a Healthy Vision: Like all other berries, being rich in antioxidants, strawberries help in improving and maintaining eye health. Consumption of strawberries in required amounts can prevent risks of cataracts and blindness due to aging. It also protects and strengthens the retina.

Keeps Cholesterol Levels in Check: Flavonoids and ellagic acid in strawberries promote heart-health boosters that help in regulating cholesterol levels in the body. It also provides anti-inflammatory effects that lower cholesterol levels, by reducing oxidative damage and lipids. 

Promotes Pre-natal Health: Pregnant women or women who are expecting pregnancy must include strawberries in their diet as their Vitamin B and folate content helps in preventing childbirth-related complexities, miscarriages, or birth defects. Strawberries also promote proper growth of the baby’s body parts including the brain. 

Excluding the above-mentioned benefits of different berries, most berries provide the following benefits:

Helps in effective weight management. 

Increases your fiber intake.

Promotes an overall better skin. 

Causes reduction in internal inflammation. 

Rich source of essential nutrients, vitamins like Vitamin C, Vitamin B, and minerals like potassium, magnesium, and manganese.

Berries can do all of this, and much more! Incorporating berries in appropriate proportions in your diet can be extremely beneficial for you. Also, rather than just eating one type of berries, try having a mix of all sorts so that you get a whole bunch of healthy nutrition. 

And, now that you are very much aware of wonders that berries can do, why not witness them yourself?

So, instead of munching on unhealthy chips and crackers, try eating healthy berries and see how they improve your overall body health!