I like to smell unique but not wildly strange. SUMMARYīlueberries may decrease your risk of heart disease, boost brain health, lower blood sugar levels, and improve insulin sensitivity.Being a niche fragrance lover doesn't mean you can safely write off designer frags. One six-week study found that two blueberry smoothies daily helped improve insulin sensitivity in obese people who were at a high risk of developing diabetes ( 32).īlueberries may also affect blood sugar levels directly after a high-carb meal by blocking certain digestive enzymes and reducing blood sugar spikes ( 33). Human studies have shown promising results as well. Test-tube studies suggest that the anthocyanins in blueberries can have beneficial effects on blood sugar control ( 30, 31). However, they don’t have adverse effects on blood sugar levels, which may be due to their high content of bioactive compounds. People with diabetes are sensitive to rapid changes in blood sugar and need to be cautious when they eat foods rich in carbs.īlueberries contain moderate amounts of sugar - or 15 grams per cup (148 grams). The prevalence of type 2 diabetes is increasing steadily worldwide ( 29). In one 12-week study, drinking blueberry juice daily improved memory in 9 older adults with early memory decline ( 27).Īnother, six-year study in older adults found that blueberries and strawberries were linked to delays in brain aging by up to two and a half years ( 28). These berries may also improve brain function directly. Interestingly, a higher intake of flavonoid-rich foods like blueberries has been associated with better brain function ( 25).Įating blueberries may prevent oxidative stress - which plays an important role in the aging process ( 26). Brain HealthĪs the number of people older than 65 increases worldwide, so will age-related conditions and diseases. These berries may also inhibit the oxidation of LDL (bad) cholesterol - a critical step in the heart disease process ( 23).Īn observational study in 93,600 nurses found that a high intake of anthocyanins was linked to a 32% lower risk of heart attacks ( 24). Some research suggests that blueberries may have significant health benefits for people with high blood pressure, a major risk factor for heart disease ( 21, 22). Studies note a relationship between berries - or flavonoid-rich foods - and improved heart health ( 20, 11). Heart disease is the leading cause of death worldwide ( 19). SUMMARYīlueberries are rich in beneficial plant compounds and antioxidants - especially anthocyanins - which may account for many of their health benefits.īlueberries may have benefits for your heart, brain, and blood sugar. Therefore, the outer layer of the berry is the most nutritious part ( 18). #Color me blue 3.4 oz skinThese anthocyanins seem to be concentrated in the skin of the fruit. More than 15 different anthocyanins have been detected in blueberries, with malvidin and delphinidin being the predominant compounds ( 10, 17, 16). They belong to a large family of polyphenols called flavonoids, which are believed to be responsible for many of the beneficial effects of blueberries ( 16). This flavonol may have a number of health benefits, such as helping prevent cancer and diabetes ( 14, 15).Īnthocyanins are the main antioxidant compounds in blueberries. High intake of this flavonol has been linked to lower blood pressure and a reduced risk of heart disease ( 12, 13). These antioxidants give blueberries their color and may reduce your risk of heart disease ( 9, 10, 11). They’re mainly made up of carbs and water but also contain a decent amount of fiber.īlueberries are rich in antioxidants and beneficial plant compounds, including: SUMMARYīlueberries are low in calories and fat. In fact, around 16% of the carb content in these berries comes in the form of fiber. One cup (148 grams) of blueberries provides 3.6 grams of fiber. Fiberĭietary fiber is an important part of a healthy diet and may have protective effects against various diseases ( 5). These berries have a score of 53 on the glycemic index (GI), which measures how quickly certain foods raise blood sugar levels ( 4).Īs this score is relatively low, blueberries should not cause major spikes in blood sugar and are considered safe for people with diabetes. Most of the carbs come from simple sugars like glucose and fructose, but blueberries also contain some fiber. Blueberries are low in calories and fat yet provide decent amounts of healthy fiber.Ī 3.5-ounce (100-gram) serving of raw blueberries has ( 3):īlueberries primarily consist of 14% carbs, 84% water, and small amounts of protein and fat.
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