We are now in the middle of Autumn, temperatures are dropping and holiday season is over, we are back to our daily routine.

Dropping temperatures are a good reason to start thinking about following a diet rich in antioxidants and vitamins to protect our immune system from the cold and with a daily working routine, it makes it all the easier to prepare healthier meals in advance.

We know it is important to eat at least five portions of fruit or veg a day for a balanced diet. One fruit in particular, the blueberry, is particularly beneficial at this time of the year and can be found in most shops.

So what is so special about the blueberry? Blueberries provide us with resveratrol, lutein, vitamins K, C, manganese and fiber. Blueberries have a low caloric value and little carbohydrates. They help our digestion and gastrointestinal tract because they are a natural source of soluble and insoluble fiber.

Blueberries are one of the highest antioxidant foods in the world. Antioxidants combat aging by protecting our skin from free radical damage and our bodies from harmful pathogens. They are rich in vitamin C which we need for collagen production and for protecting our immune systems, helping us to fight common colds and flus. This powerful little berry is also used to prevent urinary tract infections and is also rich in proanthocyanidins, which reverse inflammation, which is the underlying cause of most modern illnesses like cancer, heart disease and diabetes.

Evidence suggests that the blueberry protects our brain from degenerative diseases like Alzheimer's due to it’s property of gallic acid.  Blueberries also have the power to lower bad cholesterol and lower blood pressure, making our hearts healthy and decreasing our risk of a heart attack by up to 33%.

As you can see blueberries have a lot of good packed into them, helping us fight aging, immune system infections, urinary tract infections and degenerative diseases like dementia and Alzheimer’s. They help with digestion, eye health and heart health. Keep your body and mind healthy with the help of the blueberry! Ideal for all the family, pop them into your porridge bowl, make a smoothie or have them as a snack :)