During my recovery it was important for me to keep my intake of sugar low and find the most nutrient packed foods I could. As I had a parasite in my gut I was aware that the parasite's feed off and grow through yeast and sugar hence why I had to find low sugar foods. Fruit became problematic for me as I wanted the nutritional benefit of fruit but with a low sugar content, this is where I discovered blueberries and blackberries.
For those of you who have read my previous blogs you will know I am a big fan of my Nutribullet and smoothies. During my recovery the best way for me to get the nutrients I needed was to make smoothies full of vegetables and fruit. I have always tried to balance my smoothies with roughly three parts vegetables to two parts fruit and blueberries and blackberries generally made up the fruit part of my smoothie.
Blackberries are known to be one of the lowest sugar fruits but packed with the benefits from the berry family. Studies have shown one of the biggest benefits is their Vitamin C count providing almost half of your daily recommended Vitamin C allowance in one cup! It also provides Vitamins A, E and most of our B Vitamins. Just 10 blackberries a day count as one of our five a day. Most importantly when it comes to the gut, blackberries have gained the attention of researchers due to them stimulating the good bacteria in your gut and create anti-inflammatory activity within the gut.
Why blueberries? Blueberries do not have the lowest sugar count out of the berry family but their nutritional value overrides a lot of the fruits on the market. Studies have shown they are packed with antioxidants which help boost the immune system, provide cognitive protection, reduce oxidative stress and defend free radicals in the body (damage to the cells and DNA). My cells were under oxidative stress at the time therefore any foods I could eat to help support my body heal I would take. Blueberries, like blackberries have also gained the attention of researchers within gut health, as it seems they may be a great natural prebiotic that help stimulate the good bacteria in your gut.
It has been said that the berry family have almost x10 times more antioxidants within them than any other fruit or vegetable! Due to the combined benefits of both of these berries I always make sure they are a staple food in my diet every day.
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