We heart berries

When it comes to fruit, we’re spoilt for choice, so find out why we heart berries. Bananas boast high levels of potassium great for gym junkies, while pineapples are full of good-for-the-joints bromelain. But berries, although tiny in stature, are fruits that really pack a punch, proving that size really doesn’t matter.

From summery strawberries to the less-known boysenberries, one thing that all berries have in common is their sky-high levels of antioxidants. They fight free radicals to boost immunity, improve skin and hair health and decelerate the signs of mental ageing. Sound good? Read on to see which berries we love the most and why.

1.    Blueberries
Blueberries often get a lot of the credit for the health benefits of  berries, and rightly so. The tiny fruits are so high in polyphenols that a study published in the journal Applied Physiology, Nutrition, and Metabolism showed that eating them long-term could prevent cardiovascular disease and diabetes.

2.    Cranberries
When we think of cranberries, we often think of them squashed into a juicy sauce on a plate next to a hearty helping of roast turkey. This low-calorie superfood, however, was found to have high enough levels of vitamin C to be effective in fighting infection, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center.

3.    Strawberries
Whether you dip them in double cream or cook them into a fruity jam, there’s no denying the health powers of strawberries. We know about their abilities to boost immunity and fight ageing thanks to their high vitamin C content, but a study conducted by the Harvard School of Public Health also found that they could reduce inflammation in the body. The study concluded that the little red fruits could therefore help in the fight against arthritis.

4.    Boysenberries
If you haven’t tried this blackberry lookalike yet, it’s worth scouting around for them. The nutritious boysenberry is fibrous enough to keep your digestion in check, and a Japanese study conducted at Sagami Women’s University in Sagamihara also found that they could help to prevent mesothelioma; a form of cancer.

Have you heard about the newest superberry? Step up lingonberries – read more here.

Or try a delicious berrie smoothie.