Blueberries are high in two antioxidants — vitamin C and anthocyanin — that may help your body build more collagen, a protein that gives your skin structure and plumpness.
By scavenging the free radicals that destroy your skin's connective tissue, antioxidants defend your skin and prevent further deepening of fine lines and wrinkles. Eating blueberries helps maintain the healthy structure of your skin for a youthful and elastic look (HealWithFood).
Blueberries are rich in flavonoid molecules, which have potent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and gene regulatory characteristics. Consumption of blueberry flavonoids is associated with longer life and slower aging.
Along with vitamin C and E, blueberries also hold vitamin A. Vitamin A helps stimulate and strengthen collagen and elastin production, leaving skin more plump and firm.
Blueberries can help heart health, bone strength, skin health, blood pressure, diabetes management, cancer prevention, and mental health. One cup of blueberries provides 24 percent of a person recommended daily allowance of vitamin C.
There's no downside to eating blueberries every day because they're so healthy. But, Zumpano says you'll get the most benefits from fresh, uncooked organic berries. While delicious, blueberry pancakes or muffins aren't quite as healthy. “Antioxidants can be harmed by heat,” Zumpano explains.
How many blueberries a day? Blueberries are something that can be enjoyed every day, and two handfuls of blueberries, which is the equivalent of 4 heaped teaspoons, counts towards one of your five-a-day portions. Research has found that eating a cup of blueberries a day reduces risk factors for cardiovascular disease.
The highest concentration of vitamin C is found in citrus fruits like oranges, limes, lemons, and Indian gooseberries. According to research conducted at Oregon State University, vitamin C not only boosts collagen production but also aids the immune system and is food that tightens skin.
Papaya. This delicious superfood is rich in a variety of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals that may help to improve skin elasticity and minimize the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. These include: vitamins A, C, K, and E.
Helps urinary tract infections (UTIs)
Just as cranberries are known to lessen the chance of acquiring a UTI by preventing bacteria binding to the wall of the bladder, blueberries are believed to act in the same way, particularly for women who get repeat infections.
Researchers have found that intake of blueberries “acutely improves vascular [arterial] function…in an intake-dependent manner.” Less than a cup is beneficial, but one to two cups seem better with no benefit to eating more than that in a single meal.
Fruit, especially citrus fruit, green vegetables, peppers, tomatoes and potatoes are all good sources of vitamin C.
For those worried about thinning hair, certain plant chemicals in blueberries called proanthocyanidins have even been found to stimulate hair growth!
Load your plate with leafy greens, garlic, foods rich in Vitamin C and E, and eggs to plump your skin naturally. Loss of volume in your skin is also often caused due to dehydration, so don't forget to drink enough water to keep your skin hydrated. And that's it!
Lemon. “Vitamin C present in lemon boosts the production of collagen and helps to restore elasticity to the skin. It has astringent properties that work as a wrinkle-reducing and skin-tightening remedy,” says Dr Rana.
There is no specific time for eating blueberries. So, if you have a healthy snack recipe in mind, you can consume blueberries anytime. Adding blueberries to your smoothie is probably the healthiest way to enjoy blueberries.
Blueberries, an Antioxidant Superfood
Packed with antioxidants and phytoflavinoids, these berries are also high in potassium and vitamin C, making them the top choice of doctors and nutritionists. Not only can they lower your risk of heart disease and cancer, they are also anti-inflammatory.
Berries Improve the Memory.
A study conducted with young and old adult participants who ate blueberries, showed an increase of blood flow to key areas of the brain, improvements in memory and attention to required tasks.