5 Reasons Why Berries Are Among the Healthiest Foods on Earth

Berries (raspberries, blueberries, cranberries, goji berries,inca berries) are among the healthiest foods you can eat.

They’re delicious, nutritious, and provide a number of impressive health benefits.

Here are 5 good reasons to include berries in your diet.

1. Loaded with antioxidants – good for skin

Berries contain antioxidants, which help keep free radicals under control.

Berries may help reduce skin wrinkling, as their antioxidants help control free radicals, one of the leading causes of skin damage that contributes to aging.

Though research is limited, ellagic acid appears responsible for some of the skin-related benefits of berries.

Collagen is a protein that is part of your skin’s structure. It allows your skin to stretch and remain firm. When collagen is damaged, your skin may sag and develop wrinkles.

2. High in fiber

Berries are a good source of fiber, including soluble fiber. Studies show that consuming soluble fiber slows down the movement of food through your digestive tract, leading to reduced hunger and increased feelings of fullness.

In addition, the high fiber content of berries means that they’re low in digestible or net carbs, which are calculated by subtracting fiber from total carbs.

3. Provide many nutrients

Berries are extremely nutritious. In addition to being high in antioxidants, they also contain several vitamins and minerals.

Berries are high in vitamin C. With the exception of vitamin C, all berries are fairly similar in terms of their vitamin and mineral content.

4. Help fight inflammation

Berries have strong anti-inflammatory properties.

Inflammation is your body’s defense against infection or injury.

However, modern lifestyles often lead to excessive, long-term inflammation due to increased stress, inadequate physical activity, and unhealthy food choices.

This type of chronic inflammation is believed to contribute to conditions like diabetes, heart disease, and obesity.

Studies suggest that the antioxidants in berries may help lower inflammatory markers.

5. Delicious alone or in healthy recipes

Raspberries, blueberries, cranberries, goji berries, inca berries are undeniably delicious. They make a wonderful snack or dessert, whether you use one type or a mix of two or more.

Though they’re naturally sweet and require no additional sweetener, adding a bit of heavy or whipped cream can transform them into a more elegant dessert.

For breakfast, try berries topped with either plain Greek yogurt, cottage cheese, or ricotta cheese, along with some chopped nuts.

Another way to include berries in your diet is as part of a salad.

Source: healthline.com