10 health benefits of blueberries

1. Antioxidants: Antioxidants help the body in many ways, mainly by working in the bloodstream to combat free radicals, molecules that can be deadly because they cause damage to cells which can lead to cancers and other disease. Guess what has lots of antioxidants? Blueberries. Don't believe me? Check with the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council and they'll tell you the same thing.
2. Eyesight: As we get older, quite often our eyesight begins to fade. Usually this is known as macular degeneration. Blueberries, as well as many other fruits, can help to prevent or lessen the effects of macular degeneration. All that Vitamin A and Vitamin C in blueberries has been shown in many studies on eyesight to help.
3. Motor skills: Another thing about getting old is that often we lose our motor skills. Blueberries can help here as well. Several studies have shown that those who eat blueberries regularly as less likely to suffer from a loss of motor skills as they age.
4. Reduces belly fat: This one is a bit of a stretch, but studies performed on rats have shown that a diet rich in the blueberry can actually reduce levels of abdominal fat and lower body weight. Of course studies on humans need to be done, but this isn't a bad start.
5. Urinary tract infection: Infections in the urinary tract are caused by a buildup of bacteria within the walls of the tract. Blueberries help to prevent such infections because heavy molecules within the berries work to wash away the bacteria.
6. Constipation: Blueberries are full of fiber. And fiber is good for the health of the digestive tracts by helping to clean the tracts. If you suffer from constipation or other stomach or intestinal problems, consult with your doctor and ask if blueberries in your diet could help.
7. Heart health: The blueberry is a great food for the heart. Its antioxidant properties are a big boost in and of themselves, but all the vitamins within blueberries also help to keep cholesterol levels low and to strengthen the walls of the heart. To help prevent heart problems, give blueberries a try.
8. Cancer: Further studies need to be performed, especially in humans, but the January 2009 issue of the journal Antioxidants & Redox Signaling reported about an Ohio State University study which showed blueberries actual shrank the size of cancer tumors in animals tested. This is an amazing find, especially if it could be used to treat humans.
9. Memory loss: The antioxidant properties of flavonoids in blueberries quite possibly could help with short-term memory loss, especially in the aging. Several studies have shown these flavonoids help reduce the chances of such memory loss.
10. Blood clots: Blueberries contain one particular antioxidant known as anthocyanins. Studies have shown that anthocyanins work to prevent blood clots from being formed, thus blueberries could possibly help prevent heart attacks.