McKinney Chiropractor;
Benefits of Blueberries
Video by Dr. Bryan Stephens
All the Great Benefits of Blueberries
Blueberries are an amazing fruit. I was listening to a podcast the other day that even named them one of the best foods to eat. I have actually heard it many times from different guests on that podcast when they talk about foods for the immune system and how blueberries help not only support it, but give it added oomph. I figure with everyone asking what things they can do to help keep themselves healthy and their immune system up to par (ahem: Omega 3, Vitamin D3, Probiotics) this is a great time to bring up this super food.
A major benefit of blueberries is the density of nutrients they pack into a small amount. 1 cup of them have large amounts of vitamin c, vitamin k, manganese, and water. They also have other nutrients, although they are in smaller amounts. Another thing that must be mentioned when discussing blueberries is their antioxidant power. They contain high amounts of polyphenols called flavonoids. In fact, they have the highest amount of antioxidants of all common fruits and vegetables. Antioxidants help protect your body from harmful free radicals which can damage your molecules. When damaged, these molecules add to the risk of cancer, heart disease, and aging. Yes, you read that correctly. Blueberries help minimize aging in our bodies! This is due to their ability to increase our telomere length at the ends of our DNA. Dr. William Li has explained it the best way I’ve heard, so I will paraphrase him here. Telomeres are like the plastic pieces on the end of our shoelaces. When they are present, our laces work like they should. When they disappear, the laces fray quickly and wear down.
So, grab a handful of blueberries and add them to your next green smoothie. Keep your immune system high, your aging low and enjoy the sweet and tart taste as you continue to eat well and stay healthy!
References
Lewis Howse. School of Greatness episode 1207. “How to use food to prevent & beat disease with Dr. William Li. Dec. 27, 2021
Our Message
Our Doctors at our Dallas location, near the corner of Mockingbird Ln. and Abrams Rd., want to help you know how to be healthy by making good choices on diet, movement and mental health. Our Best choices on diet and exercise create our Best Defense against Illness and pain. We are here to help you make the best choices. We hope you enjoy this Green Smoothie and the Benefits of Blueberries.