Too high in calories, too expensive—this berry has been criticized a lot, which is probably why it isn’t eaten as much as it should be.
According to a study from the University of Mississippi’s School of Pharmacy, consuming just half a cup of these berries can drastically reduce your blood pressure.
So, it’s no surprise that they’ve been nicknamed “The King of Blood Pressure Reduction!”
A cup of blueberries contains 85 calories, but the recommended serving size is half of that and only contains about 45 calories. If we compare them to bananas and apples, they’re pretty economical in the calorie department.
They also contain a whopping 1.8 grams of fiber per half cup, which is important for those trying to reduce sugar (diabetics) or increase fiber (high cholesterol sufferers).
The most amazing feature of blueberries is a chemical they contain called pterostilbene, which reduces not only high systolic readings but also diastolic readings for those whose diastolic reading exceeds 90 mm/Hg.
As if that weren’t enough, they also:
– improve cholesterol levels
– have positive effects on type 2 diabetes
– boost your immune system
– reduce inflammation
One problem that arises, though, is that drug companies can’t just let people have their berries and eat them too. According to research done by the University of Mississippi’s School of Pharmacy, a synthetic version of pterostilbene, called pTeroPure®, has been developed to give users the chemical without having to actually EAT the blueberries.
Blueberries are the safe and natural way to get the chemical into your bloodstream, but pTeroPure® has been found to increase LDL (AKA bad cholesterol), which is the opposite of one of the beneficial effects of blueberries.
Can’t afford fresh blueberries? Frozen ones have the same nutritional value!
If your cholesterol levels have you concerned and you need/want to avoid statins, then the natural path is your only safe alternative. Here’s the best way to lower cholesterol naturally…