Blueberries For Building Strong Bodies

Article courtesy of Pamela Higgins of NutritionalCounseling: http://nutritionalcounseling.com/

Who knew, but blueberries are the powerhouses of fruit. Blueberries, such as Driscoll’s Berries, are known for their high antioxidant content, but they are also valuable for maximizing workouts. Researchers are hard at work studying the effects blueberries can have on protecting your muscles during exercise and their preliminary studies show promising results.

Anthocyanidin, is one of many known antioxidants found in blueberries, and it appears to decrease exercise-induced inflammation, which is the damage to cells your body experiences after lifting weights, doing aerobics, and other forms of exercise. In addition, blueberries boost brain function for better mental and physical performance, according to nutrition expert Tina Ruggiero, M.S., R.D., L.D.

Here are some of Tina’s tips for maximizing workouts:

· To build muscle and lose fat, try to exercise four to five times a week. Remember, it is also important to eat the right foods before and after working out to maximize your results

· Since carbohydrates are your body’s main energy source, most of your pre-workout snack should come from simple carbs, like fruit and berries

· Berries, in a light smoothie with a little protein make the best pre-workout snack

· Limit your pre-workout snack to 300 calories and enjoy an hour before exercising

· Blueberries, as part of a healthy diet and exercise plan, help reduce risk factors for cardiovascular disease, such as the accumulation of belly fat. If it’s a flat stomach you want – blueberries are what you need!

For great recipes to incorporate blueberries into your diet, check out Driscoll’s Recipe Page.