Blueberries are easily one of the best fruits you can have in your diet. They are packed full of antioxidants, nutrients, and fiber. On top of that, of course, they are delicious. What if you could make your blueberries even healthier by freezing them? Learn more about the health benefits of blueberries and why you should freeze them every time.
Health Benefits of Blueberries
Blueberries have so many health benefits that it is almost impossible to list them all. However, the health benefit that is most affected by the freezing process is the anthocyanin concentration in blueberries.
Anthocyanin is a naturally anti-inflammatory chemical that is also believed to have some anti-carcinogenic properties. After freezing, the amount of anthocyanin found in blueberries seems to be higher.
1. Better Motor Function
Older adults are at risk for losing some or all of their motor function as they age. However, eating frozen blueberries has been linked to improved motor function and a decreased risk of cognitive issues.
It is recommended that you start eating frozen blueberries as soon as possible to protect your body and brain as you age. The more you invest in your health now, the more it will pay off down the road.
2. Heart Health
Keeping your heart healthy is one of the best things you can do for your long-term health. That is one of the things that frozen blueberries do best. Consuming frozen blueberries lowers your risk of heart disease and strengthens the arteries in the vascular wall. As a result, you may enjoy a healthy and stable blood pressure.
3. Digestive Benefits
Keeping your digestion running smoothly is crucial in your overall health. Not only are blueberries an excellent source of fiber, which ensures that your digestive system runs regularly, the antioxidants in blueberries protect your digestive tract from damage.
Because of the digestive benefits that frozen blueberries have, you may enjoy a lower risk of colon cancer as you age.
4. Reduced Dementia Risk
Aging comes with all sorts of risks, including the risk of Alzheimer’s disease and different types of dementia. You can decrease your risk of neurological disease by eating frozen blueberries. This is due to the anthocyanin found in blueberries.
Anthocyanin improves your memory function, allowing you to more easily create and retrieve memories. In addition, it supports neuronal connections in the brain. The more neuronal connections you have when you reach old age, the more protected you are against cognitive issues.
5. Nervous System Protection
Regular consumption of frozen blueberries can support your nervous system and protect it from damage. This is essential, given how many toxins your body is exposed to every day. Frozen blueberries help your nerves stay healthy and strong, staving off many of the motor issues that may be caused by nervous system disorders.
Now that you know how healthy frozen blueberries are, you know exactly what you should do with the next batch of blueberries you get at the farmer’s market. All you have to do is lay the blueberries in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze them. Once they are frozen, you can remove them to a freezer bag.