Are blueberries good for weight loss?

(NaturalNews) While the little blue fruit is a delicious addition to muffins and pancakes, blueberries are more than a sweet addition to baked goods. Although they may be small in size, the nutritional punch these little berries carry makes them a great addition to one's diet.

Abdominal fat is linked to greater health risks

While it is healthy to have a certain amount of body fat to maintain healthy bodily functions, excessive body fat in certain locations, such as the belly or abdominal area, can place an individual at a greater risk for developing certain health conditions. Where body fat is carried appears to be more important than the overall body weight or body fat content, having a large amount of fat accumulated around the abdominal area can lead to an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, sleep apnea, and colorectal cancer.

Blueberries help to reduce abdominal fat deposits

One of the components contained in blueberries has been found to help in the reduction of fat cells within the abdominal area. Catechins, which are found in blueberries, were found to be a valuable addition to a healthy weight loss plan. Studies have shown that consuming foods rich in catechins, such as blueberries, helps to decrease the amount of abdominal fat as well as increase the total amount of weight loss. It is thought that the catechins activate fat-burning genes located in the fat located in the abdominal region, which can help in weight and fat loss.

Blueberries help to fill you up without filling you out

Blueberries contain a high amount of fiber and water and are considered to be a low energy density food. One cup of blueberries provides 3.6 grams of fiber and 125 grams of water all in only 84 calories. Fiber can aid in weight loss goals by slowing the digestion of food, which can help to stave off hunger. When combined with a healthy diet and regular physical activity, blueberries can be a great addition to the diet and can help to reduce dangerous abdominal fat deposits.

Sources:

http://www.mayoclinic.org

http://www.care2.com

http://healthyeating.sfgate.com

About the author:
Raw Michelle is a natural health blogger and researcher, sharing her passions with others, using the Internet as her medium. She discusses topics in a straight forward way in hopes to help people from all walks of life achieve optimal health and well-being. She has authored and published hundreds of articles on topics such as the raw food diet and green living in general. >>> Click here to see more by Michelle