There are so many significant health benefits jam-packed into a teeny, tiny berry! Did you know the health benefits of berries could make a huge impact on your life? Here is a list of the top 10 berries you need to add to your diet – stat! Find out what makes them a superfood and what sort of health benefits you can expect from them.
The types of berries out there are seemingly endless. Luckily, we’ve compiled a list of berries to direct you to which ones you need to eat more and how they can benefit you. Each berry has a slightly different advantage than the other, but all berries are important elements of any healthy diet. Here is everything you need to know about these superfoods!
Blueberry
They may be tiny, but they pack a real punch. Blueberries are among the top superfoods out there. They are among the healthiest of berries and are loaded with health benefits.
Blueberries are high in vitamins like zinc, phosphorous, calcium, and magnesium. This makes blueberries a crucial berry for maintaining bone health. Blueberries have also been shown to improve the condition of the skin (thanks to their antioxidant properties), help manage conditions like diabetes, lower blood pressure, and even prevent heart disease – one of the leading causes of death in the United States and worldwide.
Blueberries are also known to help people feel full. Eating more blueberries can help you manage your weight and your diet. They may seem tiny, but if you’re hankering for a sweet snack, blueberries will hit the spot and satiate your hunger.
Blueberries are high in many vitamins and minerals, so they also have the ability to help prevent or reduce your risk of developing cancer. Plus, blueberries are absolutely delicious! Adding them to your daily diet won’t be too difficult.
Cranberry
The cranberry is an often-overlooked berry, but it is one of the healthiest berries you can eat. Cranberries are high in vitamins like vitamins K, E, and C, as well as manganese and copper. They are mainly known for their ability to help ward off infections.
Cranberries can be used to help treat or prevent Urinary Tract Infections (UTI), can improve heart health, supports proper digestion, and can also help support women through post-menopausal health conditions.
Cranberry juice is an excellent alternative for anyone who doesn’t like the taste or texture of raw cranberries. And don’t forget the cranberry sauce! As it turns out, you just can’t get enough cranberries into your diet.
Acai Berry
Recently surging in popularity, the acai berry has long been used for its many health benefits in many different parts of the world. Acai berries are basically bursting at the seams with antioxidants. They are high in fat and very low in sugar, which is unusual for a fruit.
Acai berry is frequently used to reduce cholesterol levels, improve heart health, boost brain function, and prevent or reduce the likelihood of developing cancer. Acai berries are also high in fiber for their size. This means they can help contribute to a healthier digestive system.
Preliminary studies also show that acai berry may be beneficial in reducing inflammation. Acai berries make a delicious snack and add lots of flavor to any smoothie.
Blackberry
Don’t give oranges all the credit – blackberries are also very high in vitamin C, especially when you consider their size! Blackberries are high in calcium, vitamins A, C and E, most B-vitamins, and even potassium. It’s hard to believe that such a tiny fruit can be jam-packed with so many health benefits.
Blackberries have been shown to support proper oral health, keeping those pearly whites looking their best. They are also known to boost brainpower. Plus, they are high in bioflavonoids and antioxidants, so they help renew skin cells and keep your skin looking young and fresh.
Like some of the other berries on this list, blackberries are also high in fiber. They can support improved digestive health and help regulate blood sugar levels in diabetic patients. To top it all off, they’re delicious. There really is no reason not to try to include more blackberries in your daily diet.
Cloudberry
Not as easy to find as blueberries, cloudberries are worth searching for. One of the most important benefits of eating more cloudberries is the improvement it can provide to your cardiovascular health.
Cloudberries are also loaded with vitamin C and other vitamins and minerals that promote healthy skin. Plus, it is also high in omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. As you probably know, the health benefits of omega fats are essential. For example, omega fats can improve brain and eye health, help you manage your weight, and even fight depression and anxiety.
For the healthiest choices, eat cloudberries whole rather than in a jam, with loads of extra sugar. Pure cloudberries are the best way to get more of this fruit into your daily diet.
Goji Berry
Goji berries are worth shopping around for as they have loads of amazing health benefits. It’s hard to imagine something so tiny can do so much. However, goji berries really are an amazing superfood.
Goji berries can help stabilize blood sugar, improve the look of your skin, protect your eyes, strengthen your immune system, and even prevent liver damage. The list goes on: goji berries are also known to help prevent liver damage and cancer and to improve depression, anxiety, and sleep disorders.
These health benefits are essential to just about everyone. If you want to lead a happier and healthier lifestyle, it may be time to get goji berries into the mix.
Raspberries
High in fiber, vitamins, and antioxidants, the list of the health benefits of eating more raspberries is a long one. First and foremost, raspberries can help manage obesity, diabetes, arthritis, and other medical conditions. This means they are great to help prevent cancer and heart disease.
Raspberries also have anti-inflammatory properties. The high fiber content also ensures a healthier digestive system. They can also help improve the condition of your skin and prevent age-related diseases from worsening.
Strawberry
Probably the most common and most accessible of all the berry options, strawberries are also very good for your health in more ways than one. According to a 2004 research report, strawberries contain a phenolic compound that helped lower the risk of cardiovascular disease.
Strawberries have been proven to help lower LDL cholesterol levels, improving heart health, and preventing heart disease. Their anti-inflammatory properties also mean strawberries can help reduce the risk of stroke.
Though not proven beyond doubt yet, scientists speculate that strawberries also have anti-cancer properties thanks to the many flavonoids they contain. Preliminary studies show strawberries can reduce the risk of developing certain cancers.
Salmonberry
Unlike some of the other berries on this list, the salmonberry has a pretty specific heath benefit. It doesn’t protect against general diseases, but it does have medicinal properties that can help treat diarrhea, burns, and sores.
They are fat-free and low in sodium. Salmonberries are also rich in vitamins C and K.
Juneberry
Unlike some other berries, juneberries are very high in protein and iron. They are also high in calcium, potassium, and antioxidants. Juneberries also show evidence that they can lower blood sugar levels, reduce inflammation, and possess antiviral effects, as well.
When juneberries were less popular, they were often referred to as “poor man’s blueberry.” But juneberries are actually quite tasty and very good for your health. Preliminary testing showed juneberries produced antiviral activity against several diseases, including Bovine Coronavirus (BCV).
Calories in Berries
Generally, most berries have very few calories. Some have as little as 50. This is part of what makes the berries on this list so healthy. They are high in all the vitamins, minerals, and proteins you need, but low in the unwanted calories and excess sugars you don’t need.
Are Grapes a Berry?
While grapes are a very delicious and very healthy fruit, they are not considered berries. But that shouldn’t stop you from eating any because grapes come with their own list of health benefits!
Healthiest Berries
The berries on this are among the healthiest, but the truth is that most berries are very healthy for you. They are all high in things like antioxidants, vitamins, calcium, and fiber.
Kinds of Berries
There are several different berry species, but all berries have some common traits. For example, they are all quite high in fiber and other essential vitamins and minerals. They contain antioxidants, too!
Blackberries vs. Raspberries
Raspberries are a little more tart, and blackberries tend to be a little bigger. But overall, they both present some significant health benefits related to cardiovascular health, blood sugar, and weight control.
Strawberries and Blueberries
Strawberries are known for reducing homocysteine levels, which are one of the top risk factors in developing heart disease. Blueberries are very high in antioxidants, so they are great for renewing the skin. In short, both berries have their benefits. Combining them together is a great way to get the best of both worlds.
Types of Blackberries
There are basically three different types of blackberries, though most people think there is only one. Erect thorny blackberries are grown in bushes that can hold themselves up. Erect thornless berries are perennial plants that grow into a shrub.
And finally, trailing thornless blackberries first grow a cane for an entire year before growing the whole fruit the following year.
The Takeaway
The different kinds of berries mentioned in this list all have their own unique health benefits. But the bottom line is this: berries are healthy! If you want to improve your health and eat healthier, berries are a must.
Many people turn to vitamins and powders to make sure they are getting the vitamins and minerals they need. Some even spend hundreds of dollars on skincare products. The truth is that berries have the ability to help us lead a healthier life.
Instead of spending big bucks on weight loss schemes and skin creams, invest your time and money into buying or growing your own berries. The health benefits are enormous. They may be very tiny, but each berry is loaded with a ton of health benefits that most of us can’t afford to live without.
Did you know that diabetes, cardiovascular and heart disease, and cancer are among the leading causes of death in North America? Berries possess the qualities to help combat those diseases.
If you want to live a healthier lifestyle and arm yourself against diseases and illnesses, it’s time to make sure what you put into your body is good for you. Dried berries are also an excellent option for eating on the go or snacking. However you do it, make sure you get more berries into your diet. Your health depends on it!
