The blueberry is the small bluish-black fruit of a shrub which belongs to the same family as the shrub and the rhododendron. It is native to North America and Europe, but can be found in the wild in many cooler climates. It is also widely cultivated, due to its popularity and research done on the many health benefits of blueberries

Blueberries are rich in C, B, E and A vitamins, as well as in the minerals copper, selenium, zinc and iron, and the blueberry, like other superberries, is high in atioxidants. The high antioxidant content means that this berry is excellent for your immune system. This is only one of the many health benefits of blueberries.

The high antioxidant content means that the blueberry helps to neutralise free radicals in the body. Free radicals are a culprit for many diseases such as heart disease and cancer. Neutralising free radicals also helps slow down the ageing process.

Did you know about these health benefits of blueberries?

• Studies carried out by the University of Michigan show that blueberries reduce stomach fat. Rats were divided into groups, in which half of them were fed a blueberry-enriched diet. Some of these rats had low-fat diets and some of them were fed high-fat diets. After ninety days, the rats in the blueberry group had less abdominal fat and lower cholesterol. This was even more pronounced in the rats fed with a low-fat diet.

• Blueberries help promote a healthy urinary tract. They contain a compound which inhibits the growth of the bacteria responsible for urinary tract infections. They also have an anti-biotic effect which further helps fight UTIs.

• Blueberries help protect your vision. The anthocyanoside compounds found in blueberries have been clinically proven to prevent and delay age-related vision problems such as cataracts and myopia. They also contain carotenoids and flavonoids which are beneficial for your vision.

• Blueberries help prevent heart disease. They are high in fibre, which helps against the cholesterol related to heart disease. Their high antioxidant content also strengthen the health of your heart.