- Blueberry nutrition
- Blueberry phytochemical profile
- Fertility Benefits Of Blueberries
- How Many Blueberries Should You Eat?
- Are blueberries good for egg quality?
- What berries boost ovulation?
- Blueberries fertility benefits pcos
- Blueberries fertility benefits for females
- Fruits to avoid while trying to conceive
- Fertility juice to get pregnant
- Blueberries benefit for females’ fertility
- Conclusion
When trying to conceive, it’s normal for people to recommend eating a lot of fruit and vegetables of which blueberries are a good choice to consider for fertility. Yes, Blueberries are packed with antioxidants, which can help to protect your eggs and sperm from damage, this can improve the chances of conception.
Today’s article explores the benefits of blueberries for fertility, as well as their nutrient profile, and finds out if blueberries are good when trying to get pregnant. Blueberries are a delicious and nutritious fruit that is also good for your fertility.
Blueberry nutrition
They contain a high amount of Folate, Fiber, Ascorbic acid, Choline, Vitamin K, Potassium, Phosphorus, Calcium, Carbs, and a small amount of Thiamin, Riboflavin, Niacin, Pantothenic acid, Vitamin B-6, Iron, Zinc, Copper, Manganese, Selenium, Betaine and Pantothenic acid [1]. These nutrients contribute greatly to our health, as some can help to regulate hormones and improve your overall health.
Blueberry phytochemical profile
The main phytonutrients in blueberries are polyphenols, including anthocyanins, proanthocyanidins, other flavonoids, phenolic acids, and stilbene derivatives. These phytochemical compounds possess antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties which are responsible for their protective effect against cardiovascular diseases [2, 3].
Fertility Benefits Of Blueberries
Blueberries can help your fertility in several ways:
Improves sperm and egg quality
Are blueberries good for egg quality? Blueberries are a good source of vitamin C. Vitamin C is essential for healthy egg and sperm production, it also has other fertility-boosting nutrients. In addition to this, blueberries contain anthocyanins and quercetin with their antioxidant properties [4], they can protect the eggs and sperm from damage caused by free radicals.
Free radicals are unstable molecules that can damage cells [5, 6], including eggs and sperm, the deleterious effects of these free radicals can impact the reproductive organs and increase the risk of infertility.
A supporting study on fish models suggests that dietary intake of blueberry extract or vitamin E supplement can greatly improve sperm quality [7], including that of egg.
Improves ovulation
Does blueberry help ovulation? Yes, In PCOS women with excess androgen hormones, Blueberries are rich in fiber which may help improve ovulation by increasing insulin sensitivity which prevents overproduction of androgen hormones. Excess androgens can lead to irregular ovulation or anovulation (no egg release) for women with PCOS.
Blueberry fiber can also help regulate hormones and improve fertility. They are a good source of antioxidants, which can help to improve egg quality and increase the chances of conception.
Fiber helps to regulate your hormones and improve your overall health. When your hormones are in balance, it is easier to ovulate regularly and conceive.
A supporting study suggests that moderate intake of dietary fiber daily may lower the risk of ovulatory infertility among women above 32 years [8].
However, this evidence is mixed. For example, another related study of 250 women between 18 and 44 years noted that increasing daily intake of fiber to 5 g may decrease hormone concentrations which increases the risk of anovulation [9].
Boosts pregnancy outcomes
Blueberries contain a high amount of choline a compound that studies have shown to boost pregnancy outcomes and protect against certain neural and metabolic insults [10].
Blueberries also contain other nutrients that are important for fertility, such as zinc, iron, and folate. Zinc is important for sperm production and egg quality. Iron is important for carrying oxygen to your reproductive organs.
Folate is important for preventing birth defects. In addition to that, increased intake of folate was associated with higher live birth rates after assisted reproductive technology treatment study reports [11].
Adequate intake of folate may also increase ovarian reserve as measured by antral follicle count [12]. This can also improve pregnancy outcomes [13] and reduce the risk of miscarriage [14].
Improves ovarian function
Does blueberry help ovulation? Yes, according to USDA 100g of blueberries contains about 6mg Choline. Study have moted that choline play an important role in ovarian function. For example, one animal study noted that dietary intake of choline increased the number of corpus luteum per ovary and the percentage of antral follicles in pigs [15, 16].
This shows that the intake of blueberries may improve ovarian function due it its choline contents. In the ovaries, choline is necessary for the production and maturation of eggs. Choline also helps to regulate hormone production in the ovaries.
The exact mechanism by which choline improves ovarian function is not fully understood, but it is thought that choline may work by:
- Increasing the production of phosphatidylcholine, a phospholipid that is essential for cell membrane structure and function.
- Regulating the expression of genes involved in ovarian development and hormone production.
- Increasing the levels of important metabolites, such as 1-(5Z, 8Z, 11Z, 14Z, 17Z-eicosapentaenoyl)-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine.
How Many Blueberries Should You Eat?
There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question, as the amount of blueberries you need to eat will depend on your individual needs. However, a good rule of thumb is to aim for at least one cup of blueberries per day. You can eat blueberries fresh, frozen, or dried. You can also add them to smoothies, yogurt, oatmeal, or cereal.
Are blueberries good for egg quality?
Yes, blueberries are good for egg quality. They contain antioxidants that can help to protect eggs from damage. Additionally, blueberries contain vitamin C, which is essential for egg production.
What berries boost ovulation?
All berries are a good source of antioxidants, but some of the best berries for ovulation include:
- Blueberries
- Raspberries
- Strawberries
- Blackberries
- Goji berries
Blueberries fertility benefits pcos
Blueberries can be beneficial for women with PCOS who are trying to get pregnant. PCOS is a hormonal disorder that can cause irregular ovulation and difficulty getting pregnant. Blueberries can help to improve egg quality and regulate hormones, both of which can improve fertility in women with PCOS.
Blueberries fertility benefits for females
Blueberries can be beneficial for all women who are trying to get pregnant. They contain antioxidants, fiber, vitamin C, and other nutrients that can improve egg quality, regulate hormones, and increase the chances of conception.
Fruits to avoid while trying to conceive
There are no fruits that are harmful to fertility. However, some women may find that they need to limit their intake of certain fruits, such as citrus fruits or grapes, if they are experiencing heartburn or morning sickness.
Fertility juice to get pregnant
No fertility juice is guaranteed to help you get pregnant. However, some juices that may be helpful for fertility include:
- Beet juice
- Pineapple juice
- Pomegranate juice
- Carrot juice
- Kale juice
Blueberries benefit for females’ fertility
Blueberries are a nutrient-rich fruit that can benefit women in many ways. They are a good source of antioxidants, fiber, vitamin C, and other nutrients that can improve overall health and well-being. Blueberries can also be beneficial for women who are trying to get pregnant, as they can help to improve egg quality and regulate hormones.
Conclusion
Blueberries are a delicious and nutritious fruit that can also be good for your fertility. They are packed with antioxidants, fiber, and other nutrients that can help to improve egg quality, regulate hormones, and increase the chances of conception. If you are trying to get pregnant, consider adding blueberries to your diet.
JC is passionate about finding the impact of foods (feeding habits) on human fertility and reproductive health and a way to improve fertility.
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