Dr Federica Amati says to eat £1.80 'superfood' which lowers cholesterol and inflammation 'every day'

Nutritional scientist Dr Federica Amati has said blueberries are worth adding to your diet daily
-Credit: (Image: Zoe)


A leading nutritional scientist has spoken about a ‘superfood’ which everyone should have every day because of the great health benefits. Dr Federica Amati, the author of Every Body Should Know This and head nutritionist at Zoe, the health science company founded by Tim Spector, spoke out on her Instagram page.

She said that the common blueberry has so many health benefits that the fruit which can be had for a 150g punnet in Tesco at £1.80 was worth having as often as possible. She said: “Blueberries are touted as some superfood that we should be consuming every day. I have to say that evidence is really good, that blueberries are a great fruit to add to your daily diet. But it’s important to remember that we have to have a diversity of plants, so enjoy your blueberries, but make sure they’re not the only fruit that you’re eating.”

Dr Amati also explained that it was worth looking at other fruits too: “Are blueberries a ‘superfood’?The evidence for the health benefits of blueberries is really strong but remember that diversity is important, so enjoy your blueberries but make sure they’re not the only fruit you’re eating!”

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She went on to list the benefits as:

  • high in fibre - great for your gut health and therefore lowering inflammation

  • high in helpful plant chemicals called polyphenols. Blueberries are especially high in anthocyanins which are protective for our nervous system

  • blueberries are a great sources of vitamin K - important for heart health and healthy blood clotting

A new study has also found incredible health benefits from what has been described as the ‘ultimate superfood’ A study published in Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition found that blueberries can improve blood pressure, endothelial function - a cell layer that lines all blood vessels and regulates exchanges between the bloodstream and the surrounding tissue - and arterial stiffness.

The humble blueberry has seen prices soar as supermarkets cash in on the craze. Professor Tim Spector, a nutritional scientist has said there are alternatives too. He has said: “Blueberries are a source of polyphenols [plant chemicals in foods with antioxidant properties] that our gut flora love. But you can get the same compounds from any seasonal berries, which are often cheaper.”

He also suggested getting frozen ones: “I now try and get organic blueberries if I can you can often get ‘em frozen. Interestingly they, and they’re not very expensive. If you buy the frozen organic barriers and you stick ‘em in the freezer.

Prof Spector said polyphenols are very good for the stomach microbiome which reduces inflammation in the body - and this can assist in avoiding dementia, arthritis and diabetes. And they frequently contain more vitamin C than the flesh inside, which helps reduce blood pressure, heart disease and dementia.