1. Antioxidants

We hear a lot about antioxidants, but what do they actually do? Well, they act against free radicals, chemicals that can cause damage to other cells. Blueberries are an excellent source of antioxidants, containing more than many other fruits. They may therefore help protect you against health problems like heart disease and memory loss.

2. Eyes

It's not just carrots that are good for your eyesight! A lot of older people develop eye problems, including age-related blindness and cataracts. Because they contain antioxidants, Vitamin A, and zinc, blueberries are very beneficial towards maintaining good eye health.

3. Vitamin C

Are you always getting colds? Perhaps your immune system needs a bit of nutritional help. Up your Vitamin C intake with a daily serving of blueberries. A cup contains up to 19% of the recommended daily amount of Vitamin C. If you're eating plenty of other fruit and vegetables, adding some blueberries should bring your intake of Vitamin C up to the necessary amount.

4. Fiber

We all know that we should eat more fiber. One cup of blueberries will give you 4-5g of fiber, which is a good contribution to your daily intake. Fiber helps fill us up and keep the digestive system healthy. If you're not fond of wholemeal foods, which are a great source of fiber, blueberries could be an excellent and tasty way to up your intake of fiber.

5. Healthy Heart

Blueberries come in handy for looking after your cardiovascular health as well. They can keep your blood pressure down, thanks to their potassium content, and lower your cholesterol. They reduce inflammation, which is connected to heart disease. Although women are considered less prone to heart disease, they actually suffer more heart problems than men do, so need to look after their hearts just as much as men.

6. Skin

None of us want to get wrinkles, Unfortunately it's inevitable, and unless you have a ton of surgery (which will be very obvious), you're going to get them eventually. But as well as avoiding too much sun and never smoking, you can help give your skin a boost with a daily serving of blueberries. Their Vitamin A and C content helps the production of collagen and keep the skin hydrated.

7. Brain Health

We don't give much thought to looking after our brain, but we should. Memory and cognitive function can decline with age, but we can do a lot to help slow the decline. Studies suggest that blueberries may be helpful in maintaining a healthy brain, so munch on some blueberries every day.

There are lots of delicious and healthy ways to enjoy blueberries, so make sure to eat them as often as you can, even if you can't manage them every day. Try them on porridge, on their own as a snack, or make them into a smoothie. Frozen blueberries are just as nutritious as fresh ones, so pop some in your freezer if you can't easily get fresh ones. What do you plan to do to improve your diet this year?