Tagged berries

3 Reasons to Eat More Berries

August 16th, 2014

A have a gut feeling, a gut reaction, you’ve got guts, I’ve got butterflies in my stomach. We use the stomach as a guide for so many aspects of our lives and it’s no wonder why. Proper digestion and absorption are key for optimal health so of course we put emphasis on the belly. Enjoying nutrient-dense, whole, plant-based foods is a healthy way to support digestive system function.

Berries stand out from the crowd when looking for foods to benefit digestion because they are rich in vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and fiber – all key for healthy digestive system function. Here are our top three reasons to go with your gut and eat more berries.

Vitamins and Minerals

Berries are rich in many vitamins and minerals, including vitamin C. Vitamin C can help with the absorption of important nutrients including protein and plant-based iron. You can up your vitamin C intake at breakfast with strawberries, which contain nearly 100mg vitamin C per cup, found in this strawberry milkshake smoothie.

Antioxidants

One of the best sources of antioxidant vitamin A is blueberries and goji berries. Vitamin A can help keep your digestive system functioning by playing a role in maintaining the integrity of mucosal tissue that makes up your GI tract. Add goji berries to your salad or blend blueberries into your next smoothie.  

Fiber

Fiber plays a role in efficient and effective digestion by aiding in eliminating toxins from your body. Ladies, if you’re looking to reach your 25g of fiber a day just add more berries, such as raspberries, with 8g fiber per cup. Try a berry packed bowl like this berry protein bowl. 

Berry Picking

I buy seasonal berries, such as blueberries and blackberries, in bulk at my local farmer’s market and store what I don’t have the opportunity to enjoy in the freezer so that I have fruit all winter long. If berries aren’t in season for you buying frozen, organic berries is a great option for smoothies, desserts and adding to overnight oats.

Adapted from article originally posted on MyVega.com.