Whether strawberries, raspberries or blueberries – berries not only taste incredibly delicious, they are also among the healthiest types of fruit. Regular consumption even has a positive effect on your health. But how exactly? We explain what happens when you eat berries every day.
Some eat them in muesli in the morning, for others they are a healthy snack for in between – we are talking about berries. But strawberries, currants, blackberries, blueberries and raspberries not only taste good, the fruits are also bursting with valuable vitamins and nutrients. They are low in calories and contain little sugar despite their sweetness. Depending on the variety, they are rich in vitamins C , A and E, calcium, potassium, folic acid, iron and magnesium, for example. Consumed regularly, our health can benefit from the small nutrient bombs. We explain how daily consumption affects your body.
Table of Contents
This is what happens when you eat berries every day
1. Your immune system appears strengthened
Frequently eating berries is good for your immune system and can prevent colds and the like. On the one hand, berries are rich in vitamin C, which is involved in many metabolic processes that are important for the body’s own defences. For example, currants contain about three times as much vitamin C as lemons in the same amount. The fruits also contain valuable antioxidants. These include phytochemicals, of which anthocyanin in particular, which is responsible for the color of the berries, has anti-inflammatory properties.
1. Berries can reduce the risk of various diseases
Various studies have shown that the substances contained in some types of berries can reduce inflammation, cardiovascular diseases and the risk of certain cancers. An international team of researchers from the Harvard School of Public Health, for example, reports in the journal Circulation on a study that is said to have shown that eating three servings of strawberries or blueberries per week can reduce the risk of a heart attack in women by a third. A Chinese research team also found within a study found that berries could lower cholesterol levels. In the long term, too high a cholesterol level damages the vascular walls, which in the worst case can cause cardiovascular diseases.
3. Berries support weight loss
The low-calorie treats also contribute to healthy digestion, which in turn has a positive effect on the immune system and can even help you lose weight. The dietary fiber it contains, especially the indigestible pectin, swells up in the stomach and keeps you full for a long time, while the blood sugar level rises only slightly and slowly – cravings are avoided. This makes raspberries and co. the ideal snack for people who want to lose weight. Instead of sweets, grab a handful of berries when you’re craving sweets.
Are frozen berries as healthy as fresh ones?
Especially when it’s not berry season, most people grab berries from the freezer. But are they just as healthy as the fresh fruit? According to the Techniker Krankenkasse , frozen fruit often contains even more vitamins and nutrients than fresh fruit, as it is gently shock-frozen immediately after harvesting. In contrast, fresh fruit sometimes has to travel a long way before we eat it – the longer it is stored, the more vitamins are lost.
