Monday, March 14, 2016

Did You Know?

God's Grace Overflows

Blueberries!  Such an amazing little fruit...

They can be sweet and sometimes a little tart.

We like to put them on yogurt, pancakes, waffles, 
in a muffin or bread, in a smoothie.
The possibilities are endless...

But I bet you didn't know that these little  
fruits are so good for you.

Did you know... blueberries can...

1)Maintaining healthy bones
The iron, phosphorous, calcium, magnesium, manganese, 
zinc and vitamin K in blueberries all contribute to 
building and maintaining bone structure and strength.
Iron and zinc play crucial roles in maintaining
 the strength and elasticity of bones and joints.
 Low intakes of vitamin K have been associated 
with a higher risk for bone fracture,
 while adequate vitamin K intakes improve calcium
 absorption and may reduce calcium loss.

2) Lowering blood pressure
Maintaining a low sodium intake is essential to 
lowering blood pressure. 
Blueberries are naturally free
 of sodium and contain potassium, 
calcium, and magnesium, 
all of which have been found to 
decrease blood pressure naturally.

3) Managing diabetes
Studies have shown that type 1 diabetics who consume high-fiber
 diets have lower blood glucose levels and 
type 2 diabetics may have improved blood sugar
, lipids and insulin levels.
 One cup of blueberries 
contributes 3.6 grams of fiber.

4) Warding off heart disease
The blueberry's fiber, potassium, folate, vitamin C, vitamin B6 
and phytonutrient content, coupled with
 its lack of cholesterol, all support heart health. 
The fiber in blueberries helps
 lower the total amount of cholesterol in the blood
 and decrease the risk of heart disease.

5) Preventing cancer
Vitamin C, vitamin A, and various phytonutrients 
in blueberries function as powerful antioxidants
 that help protect cells against free radical damage.
 They inhibit tumor growth, decrease inflammation
 in the body and help ward off or slow several 
types of cancer, including esophageal, lung, mouth, 
pharynx, endometrial, pancreatic, prostate and colon.
Blueberries also contain folate, which plays a role 
in DNA synthesis and repair, thus preventing
 the formation of cancer cells from
 mutations in the DNA.

6) Improving mental health
Population-based studies have shown that consumption
 of blueberries can reduce the risk of 
cognitive decline as well as 
Parkinson's disease - a neurodegenerative disorder
 resulting from cell death in parts of the brain.

7) Healthy digestion
Because of their fiber content,
 blueberries help to prevent
 constipation and promote 
regularity for a healthy digestive tract.

8) Weight loss and satiety
Dietary fiber is commonly recognized as an important
 factor in weight loss and weight management
 by functioning as a "bulking agent" in the digestive system.
 High fiber foods increase satiety and reduce appetite,
 making you feel fuller for longer and thereby 
lowering your overall calorie intake.

9) Fighting wrinkles
Collagen, the skin's support system, relies on vitamin C 
as an essential nutrient that works in our bodies as 
an antioxidant to help prevent damage caused by the sun,
 pollution and smoke. Vitamin C also promotes
 collagen's ability to smooth wrinkles and 
improve overall skin texture.
 Just one cup of blueberries provides 
24% of your daily need for vitamin C.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

I don't know about you, but I think
 I'll be eating a bit more 
of this power fruit!

Now, I think I'll have some yogurt!

God's Grace Overflows


I hope you all have a Delightfully Bright Day!

Hugs & Blessings,

9 comments:

JES said...

Great information! We love blueberries and buy them by the bags from a local farmer! :)

Billie Jo said...

Who knew?!?!
Thankful I love blueberries!!!!

Wendi said...

I think we going to put in a couple of blueberry plants this year. Hopefully save us some money as Megan could snack on a pint each afternoon!

Marilyn @ MountainTopSpice said...

Oh I love blueberries! I picked about 20 pounds of them this summer, and froze them. I only have about 8 pounds left... that's how much blueberries we eat! I put them in smoothies every morning... indeed they are soo good for you! Thank you for sharing all that they can do for you... it is amazing how power-packed fruits and veggies are for us. I think I am going to take Wendi's suggestion, and buy a few blueberry plants for our own use. :) Have a great sunshiny day Amy! :)

Debby Ray said...

I did know that blueberries are very good for you...and that's a good thing because I just love them! I especially like them in muffins and pancakes! :D I hope you have a great week!

living from glory to glory said...

Hey, What a great informative post! Those tiny cute blue blueberries are a powerhouse packed gem. I also love them and I eat them often. I do like them in my yogurt, but your blueberry bread is the best!
Hugs, Roxy

Vicky Hunt said...

I love blueberries too! I did know they are really good for you, but didn't know some of the info you shared. I love fresh blueberries on yogurt with some granola. Yummy! Hope you had a wonderful Monday.

Hugs, Vicky

Parlor Room Ponderings said...

Love blueberries! They are worth the extra time to pick!!

NanaNor's said...

Hi Amy, I've been meaning to get here all week(days escape me)- I want to see how life is for you with a new pup. I'll go back to your previous post. I love blueberries and get them whenever I can. I didn't know many of the facts you shared thou, just know I love them and they are good for us. Thanks for sharing. Btw, I seem to have missed your moms blog-can you share her blog name against n.
Blessings,
Noreen

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