Raw blueberry juice contains few calories, is low in fat and has many nutritional benefits. It’s loaded with antioxidants that help slow aging, prevent cancer, reduce your risk of heart disease, prevent urinary tract infections and ward off Parkinson’s disease. Drinking raw blueberry juice helps detoxify your body, boosts your immune system and enables vitamins and nutrients to quickly absorb into your blood stream.
Health Benefits
Raw blueberry juice contains vitamins and antioxidants that boost your immune system. One cup of raw blueberry juice provides 130 calories, 33 mg of carbohydrates, 9 mg of calcium and magnesium, 17 mg of phosphorus, 112 mg of potassium, 14 mg of vitamin C, 78 international units of vitamin A and many other micronutrients. Raw blueberry juice helps detoxify, cleanse and rejuvenate your body. Detoxifying your body increases your energy and reduces weight naturally. Avoid toxins found in pesticides by juicing organic blueberries.
Antioxidants
Raw, fresh blueberries have more antioxidants than any other fresh fruits or vegetables tested. Antioxidants neutralize free radicals introduced into your body by exposure to substances such as cigarette smoke, pesticides and toxins. Free radicals damage cells and contribute to disease and aging. The high amounts of antioxidants found in blueberries help reduce the buildup of bad cholesterol, which leads to cardiovascular disease and stroke. Antioxidants slow age-related loss of mental capacity, help prevent cancer, increase longevity and decrease cardiovascular disease.
Anthocyanins and Proanthocyanidins
Anthocyanins are the blue pigments that give blueberry juice its deep color. They support urinary tract health, memory function and healthy aging and lower your risk of developing certain cancers. According to a study conducted by the Harvard School of Public Health’s Department of Nutrition, men and women who ate blueberries regularly reduced their risk of developing Parkinson’s disease. The neuroprotective effects of anthocyanins fend off the disease naturally. Proanthocyanidins supply an acerbic flavor to blueberries juice and support the immune system with free radical scavenging properties. Inconclusive studies suggest that proanthocyanidins reduce your risk of developing cardiovascular disease, cancer, urinary tract infections and blood clotting.
Raw Juice Versus Whole Fruit
Drinking raw blueberry juice is ideal for those who do not enjoy eating whole fruits. Raw blueberry juice contains phytonutrients, vitamins and minerals that absorb quickly into your bloodstream when consumed without fiber. Proponents suggest that juicing may reduce your risk of cancer, help remove toxins from your body, boost your immune system, help you lose weight and aid digestion by allowing your digestive system to rest from working on fiber. However, according to Mayo Clinic nutritionist Jennifer K. Nelson, there is no scientific evidence that extracted blueberry juice is healthier than eating whole fruit. Concentrated fruit sugar in raw blueberry juice increases your glycemic index.
References
- Oregon State University: Berry Health Benefits Network: Blueberries
- U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council; Antioxidant Capacity and Health Benefits of Fruits and Vegetables: Blueberries, the Leader of the Pack; Ronald L. Prior, Ph.D.
- NewHope.com; Nutrition Science News: Got Anthocyanins?; Marilyn Sterling, R.D.; December 2001
- Harvard School of Public Health: Eating Berries May Protect Against Parkinson's Disease
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