1. Want to Look and Feel Younger? Antioxidants!

First and foremost, one of the key benefits of berries is that they’re loaded with antioxidants, which help your body’s cells fight off free radicals, those nasty (but natural) agents of aging. So if you want to look and feel younger, get your antioxidants… eat berries… especially blueberries, which contain about six times the number of different antioxidants as other berries.

2. They’re Low on the Glycemic Index

Here’s another benefit of berries: they’re low on the glycemic index, which means they’re an excellent source of energy, long-term energy. If you’re looking for a mid-morning snack that’ll keep you going til lunch, try a handful of berries!

3. They’re Great for Blood Sugar

If you have a blood sugar disorder, take note: new research has shown that some berries, like blueberries and strawberries, can lower your blood sugar, naturally. While eating berries alone, without making other lifestyle changes, won’t make a drastic difference, adding them to an overall healthy diet and exercise regimen will…

4. Hooray for Eye Health!

Let’s talk a little more about the antioxidants in berries, especially goji berries, bilberries and blueberries. Did you know that these antioxidants can help improve your eye health, and, on a more immediate level, even relieve tired eyes? It’s true!

5. They Can Help Your Memory

Remember those antioxidants I mentioned above? New research has shown that these same antioxidants that help your skin look and feel younger may also help your brain’s cells flush out damaging free radicals. This means your memory and other cognitive functions may actually be improved, not with some prescription drug, but with a handful of humble berries.

6. Feel Full with Fiber

This is one benefit of berries we often forget: they’re loaded with fiber! Why is this important? Fiber is a dieter’s friend, keeping you feeling fuller, longer. So not only will a handful of sweet fresh berries tame your sweet tooth, they’re a great snack because they’ll keep you full and un-snacky for hours! Bear this in mind: one cup of blueberries or blackberries contains about a third of your recommended daily intake of fiber… that’s pretty amazing!

7. Avoid UTIs

Did you know that eating cranberries (or drinking cranberry juice) can help you ward off urinary tract infections? It’s true! They prevent naturally-occurring Escherichia coli (e. coli) bacteria from building up on the walls of our urinary tracts, and since they’re also a natural probiotic, they encourage the growth of “good” bacteria in our digestive tracts. Marvelous!

8. Boost Your Immune System!

Why do oranges get all the vitamin C hype, when one cup of strawberries contains even more of the immunity-boosting vitamin than a whole orange? Slice up a handful of strawberries and add them to a cup of plain yoghurt for breakfast… and add a cup of orange juice on the side, so the lowly oranges don’t feel so left out of the immunity-boosting game.

With so many benefits of berries, other fruits are jealous and have formed a union… can you blame them? Which of these benefits appeals to you, and why? Which berry is your favorite to snack on? Do tell!

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