12 Awesome Health Benefits of One Tasty Fruit (#10 is the Best)

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7. Fights Urinary Tract Infections

Although a urinary tract infection can happen to anyone, they are quite common for women since they have shorter urinary tracts which can allow bacteria to travel quite easily. You have probably already heard that cranberries can help to prevent these common infections, but did you know that blueberries are relatives of cranberries? It’s true. Blueberries contain many of the same active compounds that cranberries do. These compounds are called anti-adhesives and they prevent bacteria from sticking to the wall of the bladder. If you aren’t a fan of cranberry juice or if you simply are looking for a change from your morning glass of cranberry juice, try some blueberries for a nice change that still fights infection.

8. Helps to Lower Blood Pressure

Hypertension is a major risk factor for some of the world’s leading causes of death. If you suffer from high blood pressure, you will be happy to hear that blueberries can help. One study of overweight individuals at risk for developing heart disease had as much as a 6 percent reduction in their blood pressure after eating 50 grams (a little more than 1.5 ounces) of blueberries each day over the 8 week study period. Other studies have found similar blood pressure lowering results, several of them involving post-menopausal women. Since hypertension can be a leading driver of stroke and heart attacks, the importance of blueberries becomes apparent. Talk to your doctor about adding more blueberries to your diet and never stop taking your medication until you talk to your doctor first.

9. Anti-Diabetic Effects

When compared to other fruits, blueberries contain less natural sugars than many of them. In fact, one cup of blueberries has only 15 grams of sugar, which is about the same as a large orange or a small apple. It’s important to note that the bioactive compounds in this fruit seem to outweigh any negative impact that the sugar might have on blood sugar levels. One study suggests that the anthocyanins in these blue colored fruits can have super beneficial effects on insulin sensitivity and the metabolism of glucose. These are powerful anti-diabetic effects that have been shown to work with either blueberry juice or blueberry extract. One study showed that when obese subjects with insulin resistance consumed a blueberry smoothie each day, it caused significant improvements in their insulin sensitivity. Two of the world’s biggest health problems are type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome and improved insulin sensitivity will help to lower your risk of developing either of these.

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