Courtesy of FoodTrients

When it comes to small but mighty summer fruits, blueberries stand out. Is there anything simpler and more delicious? Enjoy them by the handful or add them to smoothies, yogurt, whole-grain cereals, pancakes, desserts—you name it. Grace O, the visionary founder behind FoodTrients, champions the idea of food as medicine, sharing information on how food can help us age better and live healthier lives. This month Grace focuses on the health benefits of blueberries.

Brain Food
Compounds in blueberries called polyphenols help maintain signals between neurons in the brain. Maintaining those signals helps with memory, especially as we age. Animal studies have shown that daily consumption of blueberries can slow impairments in coordination and motor function associated with aging.

Antioxidant Rich
Compounds like anthocyanin, a flavonoid that is responsible for giving foods like blueberries, cranberries, red cabbage their deep hues, are plentiful in blueberries. By now you’ve probably heard that these are antioxidant and anti-inflammatory. Inflammation and oxidative stress contribute to killer diseases including Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, diabetes, heart disease, and arthritis.

Maintain Healthy Bones
Blueberries contain good amounts of iron, phosphorous, calcium, magnesium, manganese, zinc and vitamin K, which all contribute to building and maintaining bone structure and strength. Adequate vitamin K intake improves calcium absorption and may reduce calcium loss.

Fight Wrinkles
One cup of blueberries provides 24 percent of your daily need for vitamin C. Collagen, the skin’s support system, relies on vitamin C to help prevent and repair damage caused by the sun, pollution, and smoke. Vitamin C also promotes collagen’s ability to smooth wrinkles and improve overall skin texture.

Photo Credit: FoodTrients