5 reasons to eat more berries

Raspberries, blueberries, strawberries and blackberries are taking over the produce department. They’re nature’s way of helping us lower cholesterol and fight disease in the most delicious way possible.

Here are five reasons why you shouldn’t leave the store without berries in your cart.

Easy to Digest

It turns out that berries are lower in fructose than fruits like apples and pears. This makes them easy to tolerate and less likely to cause gas and bloating.

Anti-aging

Antioxidants protect your body by stabilizing harmful free radicals that cause disease and aging.

Just one cup of berries contains all the antioxidants needed for the day — they really are one of the most powerful disease-fighting foods available.

Bye-Bye, Bad Cholesterol

Berries contain polyphenols (and so does dark chocolate) that can reduce LDL, or bad cholesterol. Their high fiber content also helps with this. In fact, raspberries have more fiber than any other fruit, at 8 grams per cup.

Blood Pressure-Lowering

Struggling with high blood pressure? Fill up on berries. Blueberries and strawberries are rich in compounds called anthocyanins, which may help lower blood pressure.

Dessert Without the Extra Calories

Ripe berries are naturally sweet and low in calories — a good way to curb a sweet tooth without hitting the ice cream. If you’re in the habit of dessert every night, try cutting the amount in half and filling the bowl with fresh berries.