Some people should avoid blueberries despite their benefits
Among the many wonderful qualities of blueberries, there are a few reasons why these tasty fruits should not be consumed by certain individuals. It's worth knowing this before we start eating those purple, juicy balls without restraint. Maybe we are the ones who should not be eating them?
12:52 PM EDT, June 30, 2024
Looking closely at the properties of blueberries, one cannot help but feel that this forest product is all good. Other fruits may envy the scope of these benefits. Blueberries are packed with vitamins (A, B, C, E, PP) and minerals (magnesium, copper, selenium, iron, and calcium) and contain anthocyanins, which have antioxidant and anti-cancer properties. They remarkably affect the skin, eyesight, and brain and maintain proper cholesterol levels.
All of this looks remarkably impressive, right? So why do we insist that some people should not consume blueberries? Well, it's not our opinion but an undeniable fact. Moreover, it's more than one group of people. It's sad but true; it is worth knowing because the consequences of not adhering to these guidelines are troublesome.
Blueberries are not for everyone
Let's start with a brief truism. Of course, people who are allergic to this fruit should not consume blueberries. Fortunately, such dietary exclusion is very rare. However, it is worth noting that another contraindication relates to fructose intolerance, which blueberries are rich in. Although these fruits have a low glycemic index, they are not recommended when using anti-diabetic drugs.
Blueberries should also not be eaten by people suffering from kidney-related diseases. Why? Such ailments often mean high potassium levels, and these forest fruits contain as much as 40 mg of potassium per 1 oz of the product. When on a low-potassium diet, one should be particularly careful.
Interestingly, doctors also forbid eating blueberries to people suffering from favism. This rare disease primarily concerns legumes (which is why favism is referred to as broad bean disease), but as it turns out, blueberries also join the list of prohibited products in this case.