Hi! How are you all doing? I hope you are all well. We all know that we should be eating a variety of berries and other fruit, but do we really eat enough?
There are many health benefits of berries. Studies have found that consuming berries daily raises “good” HDL cholesterol and lowers blood pressure, both factors associated with a lower risk of cardiovascular disease.
Many people are concerned that berries(and fruits in general) are a sugary food that should be avoided causing diabetes and weight gain. Berries and other fruits do contain high levels of fructose, but when it comes in the form of a whole fruit, it has a different effect on the body than it does in its isolated high processed forms. Whole fruit contains essential fiber.
You can add berries to your cereal, add it to smoothies, is a great enhancement to a salad and you can also blend some berries to a white balsamic vinegar for a great oil-free dressing. You can also add berries to frozen bananas to make a dairy-free alternative to ice cream.
Don’t forget to be eating other fruits besides berries daily. Fruits are high in fiber and contain hundreds of beneficial nutrients that support your body’s functioning. Whole fruit is always a better choice than fruit juice, which has lost its essential fiber and many other nutrients along with it. Fruit juice also delivers a high dose of sugar to your bloodstream.
What are your favorite fruits and berries?
~Marion
Did you know?
It is best to choose organic berries when possible. Frozen berries are a good choice - it retains all the health benefits of fresh fruit.