Weight Loss Help: Top 10 Superfoods - #5 Berries

Berries are an awesome addition to any diet. They're sweet, delicious, low in calories and incredibly healthy. Blueberries, in fact, are so healthy that in a study conducted at Tufts University on 60 different fruits and vegetables that measured a foods antioxidant capabilities, they came out on top. The skin of the berry is actually the part that carries all of the antioxidants and is considered the healthiest part of the fruit. There are many varieties of berries of berries and they all come in different colors. Below is a list of some of the best.

Strawberries

Easily the most popular of the berries. Strawberries are grown year round, but, typically, peak in between April and July. All-in-all there are 600 different varieties of strawberries. One cup of these delicious berries contains almost as much vitamin C as an entire orange.

Blueberries

As mentioned above, blueberries are, quite possibly, the king of fruits when it comes to antioxidant components. This is made even more evident when you take into account that blueberries contain 20 different types of the antioxidant flavonoid anthocyanin.

Blackberries, Raspberries, Boysenberries

These powerful berries pack a ton of fiber and we all know how important fiber is in providing weight loss help. In just one cup, these berries contain 8g of fiber, almost one-third of the recommended daily intake. They are also high in manganese and vitamin C.

Cranberries

Cranberries are known for their ability to fight off urinary infections. They do so by preventing Escheria coli bacteria from sticking to cells in your urinary tract. Also, cranberries serve as a natural probiotic that support healthy bacteria growth in the gastrointestinal tract, which, ultimately, aids in digestion.

Cancer be warned... berries are coming after you! Seriously. Berries have been linked to numerous studies that suggest they have incredible potential to fight off cancer. This is because of their high concentration of antioxidants and phytonutrients. These nutrients found in berries are key to combating oxidation in your body, which is a natural process your body goes through that causes aging to occur. So, berries can help you stay young, taste great and improve your overall personal fitness.

Berries are also high in fiber, which makes them a great at providing weight loss help. The fiber rich berries help you feel fuller longer and help you to eat less calories, so you can shed pounds. Fiber also plays a huge role in preventing colon cancer from developing your body.

Berries are also incredibly high in vitamin C. They give you the energy you need to easily get you through the day. Not coffees, nor sodas, but a bunch of berries is your best bet for getting quality energy to help keep you at your best.

In a study conducted at Ohio State, it was determined that blueberries even had the power to shrink tumors and improve the survival rate of those who have tumors. In a another study conducted at the University of Illinois it was concluded that the antioxidants in berries prevent cancer from forming and, if already present, prevent it from spreading.

The health benefits of berries are endless. They are incredibly nutritious and they take little to no time to prepare. You can mix them in with yogurt, blend them in a smoothie, or eat them as they are. Anyway you look at it, berries are a vital source of quality nutrition. Add them to your weight loss diet today and watch your personal health improve.

When shopping for and selecting berries, always look for berries that are colorful and ripe. They shouldn't have any mold and they should not be mushy. Berries spoil quickly, but you can get them in the frozen food section of your local grocery store. Frozen berries wont be as fresh when you eat them, but they'll still be nutritious and taste great. Also, make sure to not rinse berries until right before you eat them.

Typically, berries will cost you between $3.00 - $5.00/lb depending on the type of berry, your location and the season.

This berry smoothie recipe is from allrecipes.com.

Ingredients

• 1 cup milk
• 1 cup frozen unsweetened strawberries
• 1 cup frozen unsweetened raspberries
• 3 tablespoons sugar
• 1 cup ice cubes

Directions

1. Place the milk, berries and sugar in a blender; cover and process until smooth. Add ice cubes; cover and process until smooth.