Feb-2-2012
What are blueberries?
What are blueberries, the beneficial properties and contraindications of blueberries, and does this plant have any medicinal properties? These questions often arise among those who care about their health and show interest in traditional methods of treatment, in particular in treatment with medicinal plants.
And this interest is understandable.
Maybe in this article, to some extent, you can get an answer to these questions.
Common blueberry (Vaccinium uliginósum) is a species of deciduous shrub from the genus Vaccinium of the Ericaceae family. Type species of this genus.
In scientific and popular science literature, the Russian version of the species name is also found: swamp blueberry, swamp blueberry, lowbush blueberry.
Russian common and local names of the plant (or berries): water drinker, cabbage roll, blueberry, gonobob, gonobobel, gonoboy, gonobol, fool, fool, fool, fool, fool, drunken berry, drunkard, drunkard, drunkard, blue grapes, sinika.
Wikipedia
A perennial plant with a long rhizome, from which branch round, grey-brown, bare, woody stems, reaching a height of 50 cm and turning the plant into a splayed shrub. On the stems there are short-petiolate, obovate or elongated, entire-edged, hard leaves with pinnate venation clearly visible below; they are blue-green on the upper side and dull green on the lower side.
At the ends of short lateral branches there are white or reddish goblet-shaped flowers, from which pear-shaped, less often spherical, blue berries with a white coating develop. Blueberries are easily confused with blueberries, although the plants are coarser, larger and less compact. The main thing that distinguishes blueberries from blueberries is the fruit with greenish pulp and colorless juice.
The taste of blueberries is rather sickly sweet, in contrast to blueberries, which are aromatic and sour in taste. Blooms from May to July. It is found in damp forests and shrubs, swamps and coniferous forests with marshy soil.
The leaves are removed during flowering and quickly dried in the shade or even under artificial heating. The fruits are collected when they reach ripeness and dried under artificial heating or in the sun.
The healing effect of blueberries is in many ways similar to the effect of blueberries. Their relatives also include lingonberry and bearberry, so it is not surprising that in folk medicine Blueberry, bilberry, lingonberry and bearberry leaves are used almost equally. There is also no consensus regarding the possible toxic effects of blueberries. In some “berry books” it is considered poisonous, in others it is not.
In folk medicine, blueberry leaves and dried berries are used in the form of tea for diarrhea and bladder diseases. Due to the chemical composition (tannins for diarrhea, and arbutin as a means for disinfecting the bladder), this use is quite justified, but there are more benefits for these ailments effective means, so it is difficult to understand why traditional medicine clings so stubbornly to blueberries. Tea is made from dried berries, just like tea from leaves.
Blueberries are good in all types. Eating a fresh juicy berry is a pleasure. But it is equally good in the form of jam, jam, compote.
For lovers healthy sweets and drinks, you can recommend berry marshmallow, jelly, kvass or mousse.
For those who prefer hotter drinks, you can experiment with preparing blueberry liqueurs, wines and tinctures.
Housewives enjoy making blueberry pies. Both fresh and canned berries are suitable for baking. For canning, nothing is required except the berries themselves and granulated sugar. Ripe blueberries are mashed and sprinkled with sugar, and then placed in jars and pasteurized for about 5 minutes.
Fresh berries can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 12 days, and in the freezer for up to a year.
Blueberries are very similar to blueberries, so they are often confused. Both plants grow profusely and both are shrubs. But blueberries are watery, less sweet, have greenish flesh, and are about twice the size of blueberries. Blueberries are more often found in pine forests, and blueberries are an unpretentious berry.
Where do blueberries grow?
Blueberries are found almost everywhere in the Northern Hemisphere where the climate is temperate or cold.
Blueberries “settle” high in the mountains. Grows on dry, rocky, acidic, poor, waterlogged soils. It is found in the Caucasus, Altai, in forests, tundra, cedar thickets, and swampy areas.
The further south you go, the more it “loves” wetlands. The berry is unpretentious, so it bears fruit even better in poor and acidic soils than in rich ones. It is among the first to appear on land disturbed by man or the elements - clearings, burnt areas, fires.
There is creeping blueberry, whose thickets resemble a carpet, and blueberry from the American subtropics can reach human height - it is not even a bush, but a small tree with berries.
Beneficial features:
Almost 90% of blueberries are water. The rest is sugar, protein, fiber, organic acids, pectin, coloring and tannins.
Blueberries include vitamin A and carotene, vitamin C, citric, nicotinic, malic, acetic, benzoic and oxalic acids. It contains B vitamins, flavonoids, amino acids, vitamins P and K. And also phosphorus, calcium and a little iron. Despite the fact that there is little iron in it, it is absorbed almost completely.
In folk medicine, the beneficial properties of blueberries are valued, and both berries and leaves are used. During scientific experiments Blueberries have been shown to stimulate the secretion of gastric juice.
A decoction of dried blueberries is used for arthritis, enteritis, gastritis, diarrhea, as a general tonic, for lack of vitamins and metabolic disorders, as an antifever and antipyretic.
This decoction is useful for hypertension, anemia, pyelitis, cystitis, and infection with helminths. As you can see, the beneficial properties of blueberries are very extensive. Let's talk about this in more detail.
It is recommended to drink a decoction of blueberry leaves and young shoots for diseases of the bladder and kidneys, as a laxative, and for heart ailments. An infusion of blueberry leaves has laxative properties.
Blueberries, as food product, improve metabolism. Pectin substances, which blueberries are rich in, help remove radionuclides, heavy metal salts, and toxins from the body. Blueberries have almost twice the iron content of apples and pears.
Blueberries contain components such as polyphenols - plant substances that dilate blood vessels and increase the level of nitric oxide in human blood. In combination with probiotics, blueberry polyphenols reduce the number of bacteria that provoke inflammation.
Blueberries help prevent the development of cardiovascular diseases and diabetes, since blueberries prevent the formation of fat deposits in the abdominal area and lower cholesterol and sugar levels in the body. Blueberries owe these features to phytochemicals - natural antioxidants anthocyanins, which give fruits and vegetables their red, dark blue and purple colors.
Blueberries (its berries) affect the aging process, and thus contribute to the rejuvenation of the body. Blueberries inhibit negative processes in the brain and protect it from harmful consequences radioactive exposure. Being a rich source of pectin, blueberries, or more precisely, their fruits, are capable of removing radioactive elements - strontium and cobalt - from the body. In addition to vitamins and antioxidant substances, blueberries also contain dietary fiber, which is very beneficial for the intestinal tract - they help prevent a number of its diseases, in particular ulcerative colitis.
The juice obtained from wild blueberries is called the healthiest among juices. This drink, in addition to being simply delicious, surpasses pomegranate, apple and grape juices in its beneficial qualities.
Blueberry juice is so beneficial due to its antioxidant content. Scientists claim that the amount of antioxidants in it is several times higher than that of other fresh juices. In addition, wild blueberry juice has an anti-inflammatory effect. Just one serving of blueberry juice supplies our body with the amount of vitamins that we approximately need throughout the day. Blueberry juice fits perfectly into any type dietary nutrition. All these beneficial properties of blueberries are available to us - just include its delicious berries in your diet.
Contraindications:
As practice shows, blueberries rarely have any side effect on our body. But, as with any other food product, these berries should not be overused. After all, blueberries contain a huge amount of different nutrients, which, when entering the body in too large quantities, can cause various symptoms of intoxication. For example, nausea, vomiting, weakness and headache.
Pregnant women and nursing mothers should be especially careful when consuming blueberries. In the latter case, abuse of this product can cause an allergic reaction and intoxication in the child.
Blueberries increase blood clotting, so these berries are contraindicated for people suffering from cardiovascular diseases or taking blood thinners.
Blueberries (in any form) are contraindicated for consumption by those who suffer from biliary dyskinesia.
How are blueberries good for children?
Are blueberries good for children? The baby's first acquaintance with blueberries and blueberries can take place at the age of 6 months (for artificial children - 5.% months). Blueberries are a source of vitamins A, C, PP, and B vitamins. This composition makes its fruits useful for strengthening the child’s body. Vitamin K contained in blueberries is good for teeth, important for normal blood clotting and bone strength. Blueberries can bring many benefits to children.
Due to the presence of various vitamins and chemical elements in its composition, blueberries help strengthen bones, enhance teeth growth and improve immunity. These berries, which come to our table from the northern regions, have a strong effect on the oral cavity. They are extremely useful for stomatitis, inflamed gums and ulcers. Young children often suffer from scratches in the mouth, which can also cause inflammation. To prevent this, children should be given freshly squeezed blueberry juice. For older children, instead of juice, you can offer well-washed blueberries.
Blueberries for vision:
As you know, if your eyes are tired, they need rest. Such a vacation will certainly require some time. For busy people who simply cannot afford to waste time on relaxation, blueberry extract will come to the rescue. This is a wonderful way to reduce eye fatigue. This property of blueberries is due to the large amount of carotene (provitamin A) it contains, which improves vision and protects the eyes from many ailments. Blueberries will benefit men and women whose work requires them to strain their eyes all the time - for example, drivers, pilots, jewelers, and so on.
Blueberries for diabetes:
Are blueberries good for diabetes? Blueberry fruits and the juice obtained from them are an excellent remedy for people suffering from diabetes. Blueberries help the tissues of our body grow together faster, promote the restoration of the body as a whole, stimulate metabolism and enhance the effect of sugar-lowering drugs.
How to store blueberries:
Another important property of our northern herb is its long shelf life. For example, freshly picked berries can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 12 days, and frozen ones for up to a year.
The berries are also dried and made into jam and vitamin puree (with or without sugar).
How to freeze blueberries:
Many people believe that this is the best way to store blueberries for future use. It's hard to argue with that. Frozen berries do not lose the beneficial properties that freshly picked berries have.
How to freeze? The blueberries are washed, dried, placed in one layer on a baking sheet and frozen. When the blueberries are frozen, they are placed in special containers or bags and placed back in the freezer. You can always get it out and use it, and it can be stored for more than six months.
Calorie content of blueberries:
Blueberries are low in calories, so you can safely enjoy the excellent taste of this berry. However, jams, preserves, liqueurs, and so on are often prepared from this berry, the calorie content of which can be quite high. Pay attention to this table:
Table of calorie content and nutritional value of blueberries, per 100 grams:
Blueberry | Squirrels, gr. | Fats, gr. | Carbohydrates, gr. | Calories, in kcal |
fresh | 1,0 | 0,0 | 8,2 | 35 |
with sugar | 0,0 | 0,0 | 45,0 | 180 |
jam | 0,01 | 0,00 | 16,0 | 64,0 |
jam | 0,57 | 0,00 | 54,0 | 216 |
jelly | 0,0 | 0,0 | 12,0 | 50,0 |
How are blueberries good for weight loss?
First of all, blueberries have powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. But for those who are forced to control their weight, something else is important. Blueberry - delicious way burn waist fat.
Blueberries have a low calorie content (about 61 kcal per 100 g of berries), it is considered dietary product and is rightly included in many seasonal diets. The ability of blueberries to burn excess fat in the body is also confirmed by studies conducted at the Cardiovascular Center of the University of Michigan. Animal studies have shown that daily consumption of blueberries for 90 days significantly reduces... body fat on the stomach. In order to achieve this effect, it is enough that blueberries account for 2% of your daily calorie intake. This is especially true for those people with predominantly abdominal fat deposits.
Blueberries, thanks to their chemical composition, actually have the ability to break down and burn fats. In addition, it helps restore impaired metabolism and speeds up metabolism, which is also important for those who are struggling with excess weight. Moreover, blueberries provide a long-lasting feeling of fullness. Eat a glass of blueberries and you will lose the desire to explore the contents of the refrigerator for a while. We especially recommend doing this in the late afternoon. Because, thanks to the magnesium it contains, blueberries have a calming effect and help with insomnia.
" Blueberry
What is not discussed on women's forums - Goji berries, pineapple, jojoba... In terms of the frequency of mentions, blueberries are far from the first places in the rating.
This undeservedly forgotten berry is often confused with blueberries. They are similar in appearance, but blueberries are larger and their flesh is green.. Another plus of blueberries is that their berries do not stain your mouth, you can eat without fear of appearing with blue teeth and lips afterwards. Let's talk in more detail about the beneficial properties and contraindications of blueberries.
The nutritional value of 100 grams of blueberries is:
- proteins - 1 gram,
- fats - 0.5 grams,
- carbohydrates - 6.6 grams.
This quite decent sugar content is combined with the low calorie content of the berries.: 100 grams of blueberries are only 39 calories. And the list of all useful ingredients rightfully puts blueberries on the list of not only dietary, but also medicinal products.
![](https://i0.wp.com/profermu.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/golubika-sadovaya-600x398.jpg)
The berry is tasty, consists of 90% water, and the remaining 10% is pure goodness.: vitamins (A, C, PP, B1, B2, K), micro- and macroelements (Fe, P, Ca, M and K), citric, acetic, malic, nicotinic, oxalic acids, fiber, pectins, carotene, tannin substances, antioxidants...
Almost all of these substances are contained in the leaves.
It is known that all purple fruits and berries contain anthocyanins, which inhibit the growth of cancer cells. So in blueberries there are 4 times more of them - 1600 mg of anthocyanins - versus 400 mg/100g in blueberries.
Beneficial properties of berries for the human body
This composition has anti-cancer properties and increases the ability of cells to regenerate. Regular consumption of at least a glass of berries helps to increase the production of natural collagen by 2 times. There is even a special lifting program for getting rid of wrinkles, based on a wild blueberry diet.
With 39 calories per 100 grams of berries, blueberries are indispensable in diets with severe calorie restriction. Carotene, which affects the formation of a beautiful tan, is absorbed almost completely by the human body from blueberries, which cannot be said about carotene from traditional carrots.
![](https://i2.wp.com/profermu.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/Golubika-600x426.jpg)
But in addition to the cosmetic effect, the collagen formed increases the elasticity of the walls of blood vessels and overall blood flow, which contributes to the saturation of all cells of the body with oxygen. Eating blueberries not only allows you to look good, but also significantly reduces the possibility of a heart attack and other heart diseases.
Beneficial features have not only berries. A decoction of the leaves is not only used as a mild laxative, but also to improve sugar levels and is useful for anemia and diseases of the cardiovascular system.
Actively influences the nutrition of brain tissue and the vascular system, helps improve memory and memorization processes. There is evidence that its use can slow down the progressive development of senile dementia - Alzheimer's disease. And if you drink Fresh Juice- age-related memory loss will not develop at all.
For diseases of internal organs, pureed berries are very useful. Not only nutritionists advise consuming blueberries for cystitis, gastritis, and enterocolitis. The only thing you should definitely pay attention to is with low acidity, Eating blueberries in large quantities is undesirable: It is naturally endowed with a high content of natural organic acids.
Sour drink is indicated for colds and exacerbation of kidney diseases. Drinks based on blueberries are much superior in this quality not only to imported lemons, but also to traditional cranberries.
Harm from blueberries and contraindications for consumption
It’s still not worth overeating on blueberries. We are not talking about allergies at all - excess antioxidants can be harmful to health because it reduces the amount of oxygen reaching the muscles.
There is another one important aspect — Blueberries increase blood clotting. This means that its use must be limited to cardiovascular patients who are forced to take medications to reduce blood viscosity (with the risk of strokes and heart attacks).
![](https://i2.wp.com/profermu.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/60603412_1277114868_DU001-600x426.jpg)
Gastroenterologist patients with low acidity They should also not overuse blueberries due to their high content of organic acids.
Pregnant women and nursing mothers You should consult a doctor in any case, even in the absence of any painful symptoms.
Use of blueberries in folk medicine
Since ancient times, traditional medicine has successfully used the properties of blueberries to treat various diseases of men and women.
To normalize intestinal function they used either a decoction of the leaves (has a laxative effect) or an infusion of berries (the fastening effect is manifested if the berries are mashed and poured with boiling water for 15 minutes).
How to prepare a decoction
2 tablespoons dry or fresh leaves pour a glass of boiling water, boil for 10 minutes and until it cools naturally.
![](https://i1.wp.com/profermu.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/chaj-lekarstvo-ot-xoloda-2-600x400.jpg)
Sour drink from garden blueberries is also helps treat kidney inflammation and urolithiasis- acid can dissolve small kidney stones and help cleanse the kidneys.
Colds were treated with blueberry teas and honey.. Instead of modern tablets and antibiotics, the antipyretic, anti-inflammatory, choleretic, antiscorbutic, and mild sedative effects of blueberries were used.
Modern traditional medicine includes non-immune diabetes, pancreatic diseases, age-related memory changes, mild cases of radiation sickness, varicose veins.
No one knew about thrombosis, but blueberries have been successfully used to combat low clotting with its high vitamin K content.
Use of berries during pregnancy and breastfeeding
Regularly enjoying blueberries during pregnancy is absolutely justified. It not only contains many vitamins, but is also rich in microelements:
- magnesium responsible for development nervous system baby,
- iron provides oxygen nutrition.
During pregnancy, it is important for a woman to receive not only a sufficient amount of vitamins, but also dietary fiber, peptins and antioxidants, which this berry is so rich in.
![](https://i0.wp.com/profermu.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/5017-600x400.jpg)
After childbirth, pediatricians also advise not to give up your favorite berries - eating blueberries makes a nursing mother calmer(the influence of magnesium) and postpartum anemia goes away faster (iron from blueberries is absorbed almost completely).
Eating blueberries can also cause unpleasant symptoms.: diarrhea, bloating, indigestion. But this will happen if you eat about 1 kilogram of berries at a time. So for a nursing mother and baby, an overdose is unlikely.
A woman should introduce any new products into her diet gradually - this is a well-known fact. Three months after giving birth, you can start eating blueberries with a few berries.. If the baby does not show signs of allergies, the number of berries can be gradually increased. You just need to know when to stop and be attentive to all changes in the baby’s health.
Vitamin recipes from blueberries
Blueberry drinks are not only tasty, but also beneficial for the human body. If they are prepared correctly, most of the beneficial substances are retained. What berries are needed and how many, see our recipes.
![](https://i2.wp.com/profermu.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/mors-iz-golubiki-600x450.jpg)
You will need:
- 500 grams of blueberries,
- 100 grams of blueberries,
- 200-300 grams of sugar,
- 3 liters of water.
Preparation:
Sort the berries and rinse with running water. Crush in an enamel bowl until juice appears, adding sugar in the process. During this time, the water in the pan should boil. Place the berries, grated with sugar, into a saucepan and stir until almost boiling.. Turn it off immediately. After cooling, strain and bottle. Keep refrigerated.
![](https://i2.wp.com/profermu.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/479332_600-600x371.jpg)
You will need:
- 1.5 cups fresh or frozen blueberries,
- 0.5 cups granulated sugar,
- 1 heaped tablespoon of starch,
- 1/3 teaspoon citric acid,
- 1 liter of water.
Preparation:
- The berries are ground through a fine sieve to obtain separate pomace and juice. The pomace is poured with boiling water and boiled for 5 minutes..
- Strain the broth, add sugar and bring to a boil. Throw away the squeezings.
- In a separate bowl, dilute the starch with a small amount of cold water. Pour into the boiling syrup in a thin stream with constant stirring.
- Add carefully add blueberry juice and citric acid.
- Bring to a boil and immediately remove from heat.
- To prevent a film from forming, you can sprinkle it with sugar.
- Kissel is ready.
Blueberries are consumed as in fresh, so they are prepared for the winter frozen, pureed with sugar, or made into jam.
Garden blueberries pureed with sugar
![](https://i1.wp.com/profermu.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/x_f7ea7485-600x401.jpg)
You will need:
- 1 kg blueberries,
- 300-400 g sugar.
Preparation:
Mash the berries or break them with a blender, add granulated sugar and mix in an enamel bowl. Heat until sugar dissolves. Place into sterile jars.
To save vitamin composition puree Best stored in the refrigerator. For storage in the basement the workpiece must be sterilized and rolled.
Jam
![](https://i2.wp.com/profermu.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/varenye-iz-golubiki-600x582.jpg)
Required:
- 1 kg of berries,
- 4 cups sugar
- 1 glass of water.
Preparation:
- Sort the blueberries, rinse and dry.
- While the berries are drying, prepare the syrup.
- Berries are poured into syrup for 15-20 minutes.
- Over low heat with constant stirring cook the mixture for 20 minutes, removing the foam.
- The finished jam is placed in sterile jars, twisted and turned over.
- The jars are wrapped and left to cool completely.
This jam can be successfully stored even without a refrigerator.
Conclusion
You should not exaggerate the healing effect of regular consumption of blueberries, but also neglect this a valuable gift nature should not either.
You can be as skeptical as you like about traditional medicine, but chemical composition and many years of nutritionist practice only confirms that this berry deserves more attention.
You can prepare various delicacies from the berries, make compotes and jam, and they are also consumed fresh. We’ll talk in more detail about the beneficial properties of blueberries in our article.
Chemical composition and calorie content of blueberries
The most useful fruits contain:
- Sahara;
- vitamin B (1,2);
- iron;
- anthocyanins, which enhance the effects of antioxidants;
- phosphorus;
- fiber;
- carotene;
- ascorbic acid;
- calcium;
- vitamin P;
- antioxidants help prevent the formation of cancer cells;
- organic acids;
- pectin;
- vitamin PP;
- copper;
- vitamin K, helps blood clot;
- tannins.
If you want to lose weight, you are allowed to eat berries, since the calorie content of the product is only 61 kcal (per 100 g).
Beneficial properties for human health
Berries have a beneficial effect on the body:
- protect from the effects of radioactive radiation;
- normalize heart function;
- support healthy intestinal function;
- slow down the aging of nerve cells;
- strengthen the walls of blood vessels;
- have a choleretic, cardiological, anti-inflammatory, anti-sclerotic effect.
Blueberries also have a positive effect when:
- hypertension;
- atherosclerosis;
- sore throat;
- rheumatism;
- capillary toxicosis.
Berries have a positive effect on diabetics because:
- restore tissue;
- help enhance the effect of medications that lower sugar levels;
- enhance metabolic processes.
If you regularly consume berries, you can relieve eye strain and restore vision.
For men
Men can also benefit from eating blue berries.
- Having a diuretic effect, it helps the genitourinary system function properly, thereby preventing its diseases.
- Regular use helps prevent prostatitis.
- Helps older men keep themselves in good shape and recharge with energy.
- Useful for drivers, as it helps improve vision and relieve eye strain.
For women
The benefits of blueberries for women are invaluable. In addition to the listed beneficial qualities, the berry helps, with the help of masks, to prolong the youth of a woman’s skin, whiten it and cleanse it.
When consumed, sleep is normalized and the immune system is strengthened.
Medicinal properties of blueberry leaves
A versatile plant that benefits the body through its fruits and leaves.
Blueberries are a berry that is better known and appreciated in the north than in the south.
This is understandable: the southern, fertile climate gives its residents a huge variety of fruits and vegetables that can be purchased all year round.
But the northerners are not spoiled by such variety; only the most resistant plants can withstand harsh weather conditions, and imported delicacies are either too expensive or grown in artificial conditions, excluding the abundance of valuable substances in fruits.
But, despite the paucity of choice, almost all the plants of the northern region are medicinal and have a rich chemical composition that can compensate for the lack of any elements in the diet.
Blueberries are no exception. It is a storehouse of valuable vitamins and minerals, which not only traditional healers and healers know about, but also official medicine recommends.
What kind of berry is this - blueberry roofing felts, blueberry roofing felts...
It’s worth clarifying right away - blueberries are indeed very similar to blueberries, and in fact are closely related to them, but their taste and composition have significant differences.
Ripe blueberries may seem to some to be too sweet, without that pleasant sourness that is present in blueberries, and also less aromatic. By taste qualities blueberries are inferior to blueberries, but this does not affect their medicinal properties in any way value.
Blueberry is a shrub that prefers shaded places with a sufficient amount of moisture in the soil - peat bogs, swampy thickets of coniferous or deciduous trees, the banks of reservoirs.
Just like blueberries, fruiting in an adult plant occurs quite late - after 11-13 years. A blueberry bush lives for about 100 years.
The root system is highly branched, forming a large number of shoots, which makes the shrub look like real thickets.
In cooking, blueberries are an excellent raw material for making jams, confitures, as well as wine and liqueurs.
One of characteristic features The dark blue berry is a completely colorless juice, which, by the way, is considered one of the healthiest and most bioactive drinks in the world.
Blueberries are frozen, dried, dried - all three methods of harvesting preserve as much as possible useful material berries, which can subsequently be used for the treatment and prevention of many diseases throughout the calendar year.
During the season, when blueberries are available, it is better to eat them fresh - the benefits will be obvious.
A little history
Today blueberries are among the representatives of the encyclopedia of medicinal plants.
It has been known to mankind since ancient times. Siberians still prepare it using a special ancient method, which will seem quite strange to most contemporaries - the berries, packed in small birch bark boxes, are poured with fish oil and immersed in moss, about the antibacterial properties of which many have heard.
They say that in this form, blueberries do not lose their healing properties and presentation at all.
There are several types of blueberries - swamp blueberry, which is well known in the west and north of Russia, and common blueberry, whose homeland is considered to be North America.
Marsh bushes are low, up to 40 cm, while American bushes reach a height of up to three meters, large, but quite demanding to grow.
Garden varieties of blueberries are usually hybrids with improved characteristics. The berry is large, sweet, productive - it grows almost in clusters, like grapes.
Chemical composition
This is the main wealth of blueberries. It is a record holder for the content of various chemical elements. In short, in addition to almost 90% water, blueberries contain:
vitamins – B group, a lot of C, E, PP, A, K, P;
organic acids - citric, acetic, malic, oxalic, nicotinic, ascorbic;
pectins;
flavonoids;
plant pigments;
phenols;
fiber, sugar;
compounds of mineral salts;
phosphorus, iron, calcium
In terms of calorie content, blueberries are no different from most berries - approximately 38-40 kilocalories per 100 grams fresh product. Therefore, it is recommended for all dieters.
Numerous experiments have been conducted with blueberries and their effect on the human body, including by American scientists.
It has been proven that daily consumption of 100 grams of berries is an excellent prevention of senile sclerosis and a guaranteed improvement in brain activity.
In addition, blueberries are indispensable for other problems in the physical and psycho-emotional state of people, as well as for maintaining the normal functioning of all organs and tissues.
1. Improves digestion, promotes increased secretion of gastric juice.
2. Accelerates, breaks down fats and helps to lose excess weight.
3. It has a pronounced sugar-lowering effect and is recommended for everyone suffering from diabetes.
4. Has an antimicrobial effect.
5. Also anti-inflammatory.
6. Helps quickly overcome vitamin deficiency; has long been used as an antiscorbutic agent.
7. As an immunostimulant, blueberries are prescribed as a general strengthening and preventive remedy against acute respiratory viral infections and other viral and colds.
8.Blueberry juice is the best antioxidant; daily consumption minimizes the occurrence of cancer.. The berry is also a good cancer preventative and a source of antioxidants.
9. Stimulates the regeneration of cells and tissues of the body.
10. Well strengthens the walls of large and small vessels, inhibits the progression of varicose veins.
11.Slows down aging and wear of nerve cells, improves thinking abilities and memory.
12. Provides a complete vitamin and mineral supply to the body.
13. Fresh blueberries help remove toxic substances and heavy metals from the body, neutralize the effects of radioactive radiation - recommended for workers in all hazardous industries.
14. Improves vision, helps fight glaucoma.
15. Raises vitality, relieves nervous tension.
16. Blueberries help normalize blood structure and are prescribed during the postpartum, postoperative, and post-traumatic periods.
A huge number of products have been developed based on blueberry fruits and leaves. folk recipes that can help defeat most common diseases.
Blueberries - contraindications
Blueberries have a number of specific contraindications and restrictions:
- during lactation for nursing women;
- children under one and a half years old;
- pregnant women;
- people with biliary dyskinesia;
- those who suffer from thrombosis and increased blood clotting;