Celebrate National Superhero Day by Boosting Your Own Superpowers with BC Blueberries
Not all superheroes wear capes – some are tiny, blue and pack an almighty punch!
National Superhero Day, celebrated annually on April 28th, is a day dedicated to celebrating heroes – both real and fictional. Originally created by Marvel Comics in 1999 as an ode to fictional heroes, the popularity of the idea caught on quickly, and soon enough National Superhero Day became about honoring those who help fight crime and save lives in the real world.
In 2022, Spider-Man was honored as the most popular superhero in America, with Batman coming in at the number two spot. While there can be no denying the popularity, or powers, of these two fictional superheroes, truth be told, in our books, the most undersung hero of them all has got to be the blueberry.
Sure, you’re not going to fight crime with this tiny blue bite of goodness, but by increasing your blueberry intake, along with other foods deemed as superfoods, you are undoubtedly going to improve the health and wellbeing of yourself and your loved ones, thereby if not saving lives at least improving lives! (Although keep reading for more intel on just how increasing your blueberry intake might just save a life!)
Some foods, like blueberries, salmon, kale and acai, are nutritionally very valuable in comparison to other less nutritionally dense foods. How so?
Superfoods contain a variety of nutrients, such as antioxidants, which are thought to ward off cancer and other diseases by reducing oxidative stress on the body. While each superfood has different nutritional properties, overall, these foods are associated with life-improving, even life-saving qualities such as:
- Heart health
- A strong immune system
- Cancer prevention
- Reduced inflammation
- Lower cholesterol
Some of the most-recognized superfoods are:
- Blueberries
- Leafy greens – e.g., kale, spinach
- Nuts
- Avocados
- Beets
- Chia seeds
- Salmon
- Fermented foods
- Ginger
- Garlic
- Green tea
You will more often than not, however, find blueberries at the very top of any list of superfoods. Here’s why:
- Blueberries are high in fiber, with a rich colour which denotes a high level of antioxidants and disease-fighting nutrients.
- In particular, the high number of anthocyanin pigments present in blueberries are what give them this rich colour and act as powerful antioxidants that may lower the risk of diabetes, blood pressure conditions and heart disease, and degenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s, according to a review published in July 2019 in Advances in Nutrition.
- This strong antioxidant capacity of blueberries is also associated with an ability to protect the body from free radicals, which is in turn associated with reduced risk of heart disease, cancer, and other inflammatory conditions.
- Blueberries are full of fibre, making them a wonderful addition to the diet to ensure digestive health, and making them effective in treating various digestive and immune-related disorders when used alongside traditional medical therapies.
- Blueberries contribute to brain health and improved memory.
- Blueberries may help reduce muscle damage after strenuous exercise.
- Blueberries are naturally sweet and delicious, which means people are more inclined to eat them to get all of the above-listed health benefits.
In short, blueberries are 100% the superhero of the nutritional world. Plus, they are easy to find year-round – outside of fresh berry season you can find frozen BC blueberries in the freezer aisle of your local grocer.
Some of our favourite ways to enjoy this superhero superfood, and the perfect additions to your National Superhero Day table, include the BC Blueberry Superfood Salad, and the BC Blueberry Salmon Salad. Enjoy and remember (with apologies to Batman for the misquote): “It’s not who you are underneath, but what you do (and eat!) that defines you.”