Blueberries, along with other berries, belong to the family Ericaceae.
Bilberry is a small perennial shrub that has berry fruit. Fresh and ripe fruits are purple, and sometimes can be a darker, almost black. The fruit is covered with a wax coating.
These small berries hide miraculous healing properties. They are excellent source of flavonoids, particularly anthocyanins, which has excellent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties and maintains the blood vessels elastic. Anthocyanins is responsible for the dark color of blueberries.
Blueberries are rich in vitamin B2, C and E. They also contain manganese and soluble and insoluble fiber.
Health Benefits
The health benefits of blueberries come mainly from high levels of anthocyanins, which turned out to be one of the most powerful antioxidants.
Alzheimer's disease
Blueberries protect the brain from oxidative stress, improve learning, concentration, and information processing. Eating blueberries will give you energy and improve cognitive function, and this in a healthy way, as opposed to the stimulus.
Urinary tract infections
Blueberry juice has an incredible power of cleansing the urinary tract. They can remove Escherichia coli and protect the urinary tract cells and will increase their resistance to infection.
Cancer
Ellagic acid in blueberries has anticancerogenic activity, which may slow the growth and spread of cancer cells, and some studies have shown that it can play an important role in the treatment of cancer.
Cholesterol
Soluble fiber will reduce the level of bad (LDL) cholesterol, and antioxidant properties of blueberries will prevent the oxidation of cholesterol, which may result in an accumulation of plaque on blood vessel walls.
Constipation
Blueberries contain fiber, which will stimulate the bowel. Drink half cup of blueberry juice 2 times a day on an empty stomach to stimulate digestion of food that will later eat.
Diarrhea
Escherichia coli is a common cause of diarrhea, and anthocyanins will successfully remove the bacteria. Blueberries are particularly effective when the cause of diarrhea is a food intoxication.
Inflammation
A powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity of blueberries will help fight inflammation such as osteoarthritis and gout.
Blockage of the respiratory system
Blueberries will boost circulation and blood vessels to expand, which will provide temporary relief from nasal congestion and difficult breathing.
Vision
In addition to improving vision, blueberries will reduce the risk of eye diseases caused by aging such as macular degeneration.
Tips for consumption
Store blueberries in a dry place to prevent decay. Remove rotten berries immediately to prevent rapid decay of other berries.
Do not hold blueberries at room temperature more than one day. Store them in a container that does not allow the entry of air and refrigerate. In this way the blueberries can last up to a week. However, blueberries is best to right away while they are fresh.
Caution
Blueberries contain a small amount of oxalate. People who have had or are having problems with calcium oxalate, which can cause kidney stones, should limit their intake of blueberries and consult a physician.
RECIPES
Blueberry smoothie
1 cup frozen blueberries
8 oz fat free yogurt
milk to thin
Process in blender. Serves 2.
Blueberry banana smoothie
1 ripe medium banana
3/4 cup fresh or frozen blueberries
1/4 cup nonfat vanilla yogurt
3/4 cup skim milk
pinch of cinnamon (if desired)
1/2 cup of crushed ice
Combine all of the ingredients and blend until smooth.
Blueberry blast smoothie
1/2 frozen bannana (or unfrozen + 1 ice cube)
1/4-1/2 cup frozen blueberries
1/2-3/4 cup rice dream vanilla lite
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1 pkt sweetner
Dump it all in the blender and whir until creamy.
Blueberry buttermilk smoothie
1 banana, ripe, peeled and cut into chunks
1/2 cup frozen blueberries
1 tablespoon granulated sugar
4 ice cubes
1 cup buttermilk
Place all ingredients in blender and process until smooth. Serves 2.
Blueberry pineapple smoothie
2 cups chilled fresh or frozen blueberries, slightly thawed
1 cup chilled pineapple-orange juice, or pineapple-orange-strawberry juice
1 8-ounce carton vanilla nonfat yogurt
1 tablespoon sugar
In a blender container, combine all ingredients. Cover and blend for 1 to 2 minutes or until almost smooth. Serves 3.
Blueberry smoothie
1/4 cup orange juice
1/2 cup plain, low-fat yogurt
1/2 cup washed, stemmed blueberries
honey to taste
Place all the ingredients in a blender. Blend on high speed until smooth.
Blueberry twist smoothie
2 cups fresh blueberries
1 cup pineapple orange juice
1- 8 ounce vanilla yogurt
2 teaspoons sugar or honey
Place everything in a blender, blend until smooth. Serve immediately. Serves 2.
Boysenberry blueberry smoothie
1 1/2 cups boysenberry or blackberry-flavor juice
1 cup boysenberries or blackberries
1 cup blueberries, frozen
Place all ingredients in blender and process until smooth. Serves 2.
