Why You Should Start Adding Blueberries To Your Oatmeal

You may already know that doctors and nutritionists alike tout oatmeal as one of the healthiest breakfasts you can eat. The fiber called beta-glucan in oatmeal is one of the reasons why it is so healthy. Beta-glucan not only supports regular bowel movements, but it can also aid in lowering your cholesterol, fight type 2 diabetes, and reduce your risk for heart disease. Beta-glucan might also help reduce the risk of Alzheimer's disease. In addition, oatmeal contains antioxidant polyphenols that fight the damage done by free radicals (via Health).

While oatmeal is good for you, it can be kind of bland on its own. Although adding sugar and butter to your oatmeal might make it taste better, those aren't necessarily the best ingredients to give your morning oats a boost. Blueberries, on the other hand, are a great superfood that raises the flavor and nutritional content of your oatmeal to amazing levels (via WebMD).

Healthline proclaims blueberries as the "king of antioxidant foods" because they are thought to contain some of the highest amounts of antioxidants of the everyday fruits and vegetables most people eat. The polyphenols in blueberries are flavonoids, and they are responsible for giving the berries their antioxidant qualities, which include helping protect the body's DNA from the damage caused by aging. One study cited by the publication showed that after consuming blueberries for just four weeks oxidative damage was reduced by 20%. Moreover, the flavonoids in blueberries might offer protection from heart disease, and they may even lower the risk for heart attacks in women. They might even lower levels of LDL ("bad") cholesterol to boot (via Healthline).

Blueberries also fight inflammation in the body, which can lead to type 2 diabetes. The tiny berries can boost weight loss because they are high in fiber and low in calories. If that's not enough to convince you, blueberries demonstrated an ability to assist the body when fighting against breast and gastrointestinal cancers. They may even help lower the risk of pancreatic, liver, and prostate cancer (via Everyday Health). So, what are you waiting for? Go ahead and give your oats a nutritional kick with a serving of blueberries!