Take advantage of the summer for feast on berries. And not only for their pleasant taste: blueberries, strawberries, blackberries, currants and raspberries contain nutrients that help to relieve stress and physical and mental fatigue, favoring the recovery of energy on vacation.
ALSO HELP FOR MEMORY
«The beneficial effect of berries is due to the richness in sugars, anthocyanins (the pigments on which their typical color depends), vitamins and minerals, all nutrients that relax the central nervous system, ”explains the doctor Sara Ciastellardi, homeopath and nutritionist in Livorno, Pisa and Grosseto.
A Boston University study also found that blueberries, raspberries & Co. are very effective for improve cognitive abilities and restore vigor to the brain, because they free it from the toxins produced during the normal metabolism of neurons. The consequence? They help counteract memory loss and concentration difficulties due to excessive fatigue. Finally, these foods contribute to keep blood pressure rises under control caused by stress e they stave off nervous hunger, thanks to the fiber content ».
THE MORE ACTION OF BLUEBERRIES
Researchers from the University of Louisiana later showed that blueberries are the most useful of the berries to counteract the acute stress that follows a trauma, a disorder that affects about 8% of people in the country. «They act like some classes of antidepressants, because they increase the levels of serotonin in the blood, the neurotransmitter of good mood and thus help to overcome anxiety attacks », explains the expert.
HOW TO EXPLOIT ITS PROPERTIES
You can use berries to prepare fruit salads, smoothies and milkshakes to be consumed at breakfast or as a snack between meals. And for a truly relaxing mix, try the cold herbal tea that we propose below.
THE COLD HERBAL TEA FOR A CALM SUMMER
Ingredients for 1 cup
√ 200 ml of water
√ 6 blueberries
√ 6 wild strawberries
√ 4 black currants
√ 4 dried blackberries
√ 4 blueberries
√ 2 raspberries
√ 2 mint leaves
Bring the water to a boil, then turn off the heat. Add the berries and mint and leave to infuse for 10 '. Strain into a cup and let it cool to room temperature then put it in the refrigerator. Take it off 15 'before drinking.
