Useful properties and contraindications of blueberries. There are a lot of vitamins in blueberries

Blueberry, beneficial properties which is not so widely known compared to hera close relative of the blueberry, a low shrub native to temperate regions. It got its name because of the characteristic color of the berries, which have a bluish tint. It grows well in pine forests, peat bogs and swamps. Its berries and leaves are used in food and medicinal purposes. Research by scientists shows that blueberries can slow down brain aging, increase attention, and protect against radiation. In this article we will talk about the beneficial properties and contraindications of blueberries.

What blueberries look like and where they grow

This berry belongs to the Heather family of the Vaccinium genus. Scientific Latin name blueberries - Vaccinium uliginosum.

Blueberry is a deciduous shrub with straight branches, most often from 30 to 50 centimeters in height. There are plants up to 1 meter high. Its leaves are small, no more than 3 centimeters, smooth, slightly elongated, obovate in shape on short petioles.

Blueberries bloom with small five-toothed flowers in the month of May. The berries, which ripen in July - August, are round or elongated and purple in color, which can remain on the bush until frost.

We call this berry bog blueberry, swamp blueberry, low-growing blueberry. People call it a drunken berry, a drunkard, a dove, a fool, a cabbage roll and other names. Blueberries are a long-lived berry. Can grow up to 100 years.

It is widespread in light coniferous forests, peat bogs, swamps in temperate latitudes of Europe, Asia, North America. Here you can find her on Far East, Caucasus, Siberia, Urals.

What are the benefits of blueberries?

Blueberries are a real treasure useful substances. And not only the berries, but also its leaves.

It contains:

Vitamins PP, B4, B9, thiamine, riboflavin, pantothenic acid, pyridoxine, tocopherol, vitamin K, A, WITH;

Salts minerals potassium, phosphorus, magnesium, sodium, manganese, zinc, copper, iron, selenium;

Ash substances;

Fiber;

Organic acids: citric, malic, oxalic, quinic, benzoic;

Glycosides;

Anticyones;

Flavonoids;

Tannins;

Antioxidants.

The leaves of the plant contain essential oil. They contain more arbutin (phenolic glycoside) than fruits.

100 grams of berries contain:

About 0.7 grams of protein;
12.5 grams carbohydrates;
0.3 grams fat;
2.5 grams of dietary fiber;
Water about 85 grams;

These small berries contain twice as much iron as apples or pears.

Potassium (77 mg per 100 grams) is directly involved in the regulation of cellular fluid and helps prevent swelling.

Due to the high content of ascorbic acid, it helps strengthen the immune system and has antibacterial properties.

Berry juice normalizes metabolism; diabetics can include it in their diet. These berries are great for losing weight and maintaining weight at an optimal level. Their calorie content is only 57 kilocalories per 100 grams.

Glycosides and anthocyanins reduce the permeability of blood vessels and improve the condition of the walls of blood vessels and capillaries.

Antioxidants and flavonoids prevent premature aging body, neutralize the effect free radicals, remove toxic and carcinogenic substances from the body.

Vitamin K affects blood clotting.

The presence of dietary fiber and pectin makes this berry useful for people working in harmful conditions, since these substances bind toxins and remove them from the body.

Blueberries beneficial properties

First of all, blueberries - dietary product With low content calories. It is consumed fresh, frozen, and dried. They are used to make jam and other preparations.

Eating berries increases blood flow to the retina of the eyes, relieves fatigue and irritation, and inflammation of the eyes. They, like blueberries, are useful for people who spend a lot of time at the computer.

Berries have a positive effect on the entire body. They improve digestion, normalize metabolism, improve immune system, lower blood sugar levels. Decoctions and infusions of leaves are drunk for diabetes, heart and intestinal problems.

How a product containing many substances with antioxidant properties helps prevent the development of oncological diseases.

Blueberries medicinal properties

Blueberry leaves and berries are used to treat and prevent many diseases. Our ancestors were well acquainted good taste and medicinal properties of blueberry berries and leaves.

Blueberries have:

Anti-inflammatory;

Antibacterial;

Immunostimulating;

Vascular strengthening

properties.

Berries and leaves are used in the treatment of:

Eye diseases;

Diabetes mellitus;

Metabolic disorders;

Urolithiasis;

Rheumatism;

Diseases of the digestive tract.

Locally, berries and decoctions are used in the treatment of:

Reductions blood pressure;

Improved heart function;

Strengthening the walls of blood vessels and capillaries;

Strengthening intestinal motility;

Radiation protection;

Prevention of atherosclerosis and improvement of brain function;

Normalization of blood clotting.

Blueberry berries and leaves:

Are an excellent preventive measure cancerous tumors. Plant antioxidants act on malignant tumors at the cellular level, preventing their development and growth.
Used to prevent colds. The vitamins contained in blueberries strengthen the immune system.
It is used for treatment eye diseases: conjunctivitis, with decreased visual acuity, deterioration of night vision, retinal detachment. Although some doctors claim that the berry does not affect vision.
Helps improve metabolism, remove toxins and heavy metal salts.
They have anti-inflammatory and choleretic effect. In this capacity, they are often used to treat the liver, gall bladder and rheumatism.
Very effective for kidney and bladder diseases.
It is often used for diabetes, as it normalizes blood sugar.
A decoction of leaves and berries can be used for chronic diarrhea. In addition, decoctions from it are very effective for pharyngitis, tonsillitis, inflammatory processes in the oral cavity.
Dried berries help with cystitis.

Kissel with berries is useful for diseases of the stomach and intestines. It prevents rotting and has disinfectant properties.

Beneficial and medicinal properties of blueberry leaves

Preparations based on blueberry leaves are used to treat skin diseases: burns, wounds, eczema.

Tea based on the leaves helps with headaches and coughs.

The leaves are used to treat colds, rheumatism, kidney diseases, diarrhea, and to stabilize blood sugar in diabetes mellitus.

Blueberry leaf decoction

Brew a tablespoon of crushed leaves with a glass of hot water. Put for half an hour for water bath. Strain and drink 1/3 glass three times a day.

Decoction of leaves for bleeding

Take 50 grams of leaves for 1 liter of water. Boil in a water bath for 20 minutes. Strain and drink 50 ml three times a day. This decoction helps with colitis, gastritis, and diabetes.

Blueberry leaf infusion

Pour 15 grams (1 tablespoon) of leaves into 400 ml of boiling water and leave for an hour. Strain and drink 100 ml three times a day for diabetes, kidney stones, gastritis. This infusion is used for washing wounds and gargling.

Blueberry use in folk medicine

In folk medicine, blueberries are used in the form of decoctions, infusions, alcohol tincture. Juice is made from fresh berries, which has astringent properties. Due to the presence of anthocyanins, glycosides, tannins, they have an astringent, disinfectant, and antiseptic effect for diarrhea, intestinal disorders, inflammation of the kidneys and bladder.

The presence of a number of important vitamins makes blueberries an excellent remedy for the prevention and treatment of vitamin deficiency.

Decoction for heart disease

To prepare the decoction, brew 2 tablespoons of chopped branches and leaves of the plant with a glass of boiling water and simmer for half an hour in a water bath. Remove and cool. Add the strained broth to the original volume. Take a tablespoon up to 5 times during the day.

Berry decoction for dysentery

Brew a tablespoon of dried or fresh berries with a glass of boiling water and simmer for 5 minutes. Remove and leave for 15 minutes. Take the decoction one tablespoon up to 4 times during the day.

Infusion for enuresis

Brew a tablespoon of dried berries with a glass of boiling water and leave for 5 minutes. Drink before bed for kidney inflammation and enuresis.

Blueberry tea

Brew 2 teaspoons with a glass of boiling water and leave overnight (10-12 hours). Drink warm tea 1-2 glasses a day.

Alcohol tincture

To prepare the tincture, you can take fresh, dried or frozen berries.

Take 500 ml of vodka for a glass of berries. Infuse for 8 days in a dark place. Then filter and store in a cool place in a dark glass bottle.

Take 1 dessert spoon, diluted with water, three times a day.

Blueberries contraindications

Blueberries are allergenic berries. Therefore, its use should be treated with extreme caution for people with allergies.

Since it contains oxalic acid, it is contraindicated in the presence of kidney stones.

The astringent properties of blueberries can lead to constipation.

It is prohibited to consume berries if you have diseases of the pancreas or biliary dyskinesia.

In case of overdose and consumption of large quantities of berries, there may be bloating, flatulence, and diarrhea.

Blueberries beneficial properties for women

The berries contain iron and folic acid, which are useful in preventing the development of anemia. In addition, iron is completely absorbed by the body.

As a remedy that has a beneficial effect on blood vessels, it can be included in your diet if you are inclined to varicose veins veins, the presence of a fine vascular network.

Rich antioxidants, it will be useful during menopause.

Blueberries can be consumed during pregnancy as a source of vitamins, minerals and other nutrients that are needed for normal course pregnancy and fetal development.

But when breastfeeding It is better to avoid this berry for a while so as not to provoke an allergic reaction in the baby.

Collection and preparation of blueberries

Blueberries are harvested during the ripening season, which depends on the region where this berry bush grows. In more southern regions, the first berries can be picked as early as July. It is better to take berries from young bushes. The age of a bush can be determined by the number of branches: the older the bush, the more branches it has.

The berries are picked by hand. Best time- morning or afternoon or late afternoon.

Leaves are harvested in active period growing season: spring and first half of summer. The greatest content of useful active substances– flowering period. The branches are cut off at the end of the growing season.

When buying berries on the market, you need to pay attention first of all to their appearance: the berries must be whole, equally ripe, dry and without signs of damage or spoilage.

The collected berries are dried or frozen. Drying can be done in electric dryers for fruits and berries, in the oven or in the air, spreading them out in a thin layer. Drying temperature is not higher than 40 degrees. After drying the berries (when they wrinkle a little), the temperature can be increased to 70 degrees. To dry the berries evenly, you need to turn them over periodically.

Drying of leaves and twigs is carried out similarly to berries. When air drying, they are laid out in the shade in a well-ventilated area.

Dried berries and leaves can be stored for up to two years.

When freezing berries, use containers or bags. You can first (if possible) lay out the berries in a thin layer, no higher than 2.5 centimeters, on a tray and, after the berries freeze, transfer them to a container with a lid.

Winter preparations from blueberries

Like any berries, it is better not to subject blueberries to prolonged heat treatment, so as not to lose some of the nutrients. Therefore, it is better to freeze the berries. But if this is not possible, then the best way is to twist it with sugar.

The berries, washed and dried from water, are crushed using a meat grinder or blender and mixed with sugar. For 1 kg of berries take 1.2-1.5 kg of sugar.

The pureed berries are placed in clean sterilized jars, not reaching the edge by about 1.5 centimeters. Sprinkle sugar on top. Cover with a lid or parchment. Store in a cool place.

Juice. The best way to extract juice is with a juicer. To preserve juice, take 80 grams of sugar per 1 liter of juice. Heat to a temperature of 80 degrees and pour into hot sterile jars. Hermetically sealed. Store in a cool place.

Growing blueberries

Many amateur gardeners grow this berry bush in their garden. When purchasing seedlings, you need to choose those that are in a container with a peat mixture, since blueberries do not take root well.

It is better to keep weak seedlings on a windowsill or greenhouse before planting.

Shrubs are planted at a distance of one and a half, two meters from each other. In addition, it can be grown in a wooden, plastic barrel or container. At the bottom of the container, you first need to pour a layer of drainage and then a peat mixture. Blueberries are a frost-resistant crop. That's why she tolerates it easily winter frosts. In the wild, it can withstand temperatures down to minus 50-56 degrees.

It reproduces vegetatively by young cuttings or seeds. When propagating by seed, ripe berries are crushed and the seeds are removed. Before sowing, stratification must be carried out for at least three months.

They are sown to a depth of one centimeter. Sprinkle the top with a mixture of peat and sand in a ratio of 3:1. For seed germination, the temperature should be 23-25 degrees. Seedlings grown from seeds begin to bear fruit at 7-8 years.

In the first year after planting young seedlings, there is no need to apply any additional fertilizers. In the second and third years, nitrogen fertilizers need to be applied in the spring. Then the seedlings are transplanted to a new location.

You can get the first harvest of berries faster by propagating by root suckers. To do this in the fall after harvesting, you need to separate the young shoots from the main plant. For a month they are placed in cool room with a temperature not higher than 1-5 degrees.

Then they are planted in a substrate of sand and peat. At good care The first berries from such bushes can be collected within three years.

Like raspberries, root system blueberries are located shallow. Therefore, when caring, you need to be careful not to damage it. Every year, the soil under the bush needs to be mulched with peat, fertilized and watered in a timely manner.

In spring it is necessary to remove old and dry branches. We must remember that this northern berry and she doesn’t like the scorching sun.

To increase productivity, you need to plant several blueberry bushes and preferably different varieties.

In the regions of the Northern Hemisphere, the tundra, swamps and peat bogs, the berry grows, according to appearance similar to blueberries, but differing in sour taste. In the scientific literature, the perennial shrub is called blueberry. The beneficial properties and contraindications of the berry have been studied and are not at all comparable. The value of the plant for human health is very great, the only warning: for people with cardiovascular diseases overuse berries are not recommended.

Description

Peat-sand soil is considered an ideal basis for growing blueberries. The sweet and sour fruits of the bush are similar in shape and color to blueberries. The plant can be found both growing wild and among domesticated varieties.

The shrub is unpretentious during growth, frost-resistant and painless. Half a meter - maximum length plants, but there are also tall varieties. For example, garden blueberries, the properties of which are identical ordinary berry, reaches a height of 2 meters and yields an average of 7 kg from one bush. Varieties of shrubs differ in different taste and size of fruits.

Eat berries in fresh and cooking. Blueberries are found among the ingredients in traditional medicine recipes. Not only the berries of the bush, but also the leaves and branches have beneficial properties. Energy value is 40 kcal. The shelf life of intact berries is short - from three to seven days.

Chemical composition of fruits

From organic matter Carbohydrates predominate in 100 grams of product. Key microelements: mono- and disaccharides, fiber, calcium, organic acids, potassium.

A plant living in the North has great value for the health of people living in these areas, since it contains up to 20 mg of ascorbic acid in 100 grams of dark blue berries.

Blueberries contain a small amount of vitamins B1, B2, and PP. The beneficial properties and contraindications of the berry were already known to the Indians; they considered it sacred and sent to their people during famine in order to avoid child starvation.

The presence of pectin substances makes the plant popular among food products that combat the removal of radioactive elements from the body. Plant pigment that colors blueberries blue, anthocyanin, acts as a shield against cancer and is a powerful antioxidant.

Blueberry: medicinal properties

The high antioxidant potential of the berry helps fight diseases caused by the presence of free radicals in the body, such as heart attack, cancer, stroke. Frequency colds is minimized with regular consumption of blueberries. The high content of ascorbic acid strengthens the immune system and puts the berry on a pedestal natural medicines for protection against viruses and vitamin deficiency.

Facts

The berry is credited with the narcotic properties of wild rosemary. This is because blueberry bushes grow next to the swamp dope. This is where the unflattering names for the berry came from: water drinker, gonobobel, fool, drunkard, blue grapes. The smell of dope when picking blueberries can intoxicate a person’s mind, so it is not recommended to stay near the plant for a long time.

The second fact confirming the medicinal properties of blueberries is based on an experiment on mice in which inflammation was artificially induced vascular walls, characteristic of a disease such as atherosclerosis. For eight weeks, the animals were given blueberry extract in a volume corresponding to two glasses of the berry. At the end of the study, conclusions were drawn about the beneficial effects of blueberries on vascular walls. Positive effect was achieved due to the presence of polyphenols.

The cultivated highbush blueberry is considered a symbol of New Jersey. And one more fact: the life of the bush is 100 years.

Selection and storage

A natural silvery coating, which other products may characterize as not quite fresh, is distinctive feature blueberries, signaling the correctly chosen berry.

Proper storage of berries is the key to their safety. medicinal properties. Saves only fresh blueberries beneficial properties and contraindications. No jam or compote will deliver to the human body the complex of vitamins, macro- and microelements that eating fresh, frozen or dried berries gives to health.

Unwashed fruits can remain in the refrigerator in a container for up to 7 days. Before eating, rinse the berries under running water.

It is better to freeze blueberries on a baking sheet until the berries are completely cooled, which can later be transferred to a bag without fear of getting frozen jam.

Cosmetology

A product that supports beauty not only from the inside, but also from the outside, used by the cosmetology industry in the formulations of care products, is again blueberry. Beneficial properties of berries for external beauty based on whitening and cleansing the skin, plus protection from ultraviolet radiation.

The plant is used in anti-inflammatory treatments for the skin, eliminating oily shine and acne. Elementary masks from the forest treasury are easy to prepare and available for home use.

The strained decoction of the leaves of the bush can be frozen in cubes and wiped on your face daily. If your extremities sweat profusely, it is also recommended to wipe your hands and feet with blueberry water.

How to include more blueberries in your diet?

The properties of blueberries that have a positive effect on health make us think about additional possibilities for including dark blue fruits in the diet. The shrub ripens by the end of summer, and then in harsh, northern conditions, so in stores you can most often find frozen or canned berries. Ideas for healthy blueberry snacks:

Fruits added to oatmeal, yogurt or pancakes stuffed with berries will add a new taste.
A fruit salad of apples, bananas, oranges and blueberries, dressed with low-fat yogurt, will become a great alternative creamy dessert made from heavy cream.
Salad from dried berries, spinach, walnuts and feta cheese.
Drinking yogurt or milk with grated blueberries can easily be called a “Health” cocktail.
Blueberry syrup for muffins, muffins, pancakes and pancakes.

Recipes

Low-calorie blueberries, the beneficial properties and contraindications of which are discussed above, are used not only in dietary recipes, but also for making alcohol, marshmallows, mousses and culinary delights.

Due to the presence of pectin substances, blueberry dishes become jelly-like. For marshmallows, you need to pour 1 kg of fruit with a glass of water and boil for 15 minutes. Then half a kilogram of sugar is added to the mixture, rubbed through a sieve, and put on the fire for another half hour. Pour the semi-finished marshmallow into molds and dry it in the oven.

Jam from dark blue fruits can be made from blueberries and half blueberries. It is important that the berries remain intact. To do this, a kilogram of fruit is placed in a boiling sugar syrup, prepared from 1 kg of sugar, and the mixture is infused for 4 hours. Afterwards it is boiled until ready and rolled into jars.

To make blueberry pie, you need to beat one hundred grams of butter with three eggs, a glass of sugar and three glasses of flour. The resulting shortbread dough is laid out in a mold with sides. Inside the mold, on top of the dough, a blueberry filling is laid out, sprinkled with sugar and cinnamon to taste. The dessert is baked for 30 minutes in the oven.

As you can see, blueberries bring many benefits not only in medicine, but also as an ingredient for gourmet dishes.

Blueberries are used for medicinal or culinary purposes - their beneficial properties and contraindications for the body are relevant during the period of fruit harvest. Infusion and fruit drink made from blue fruits are used. Berries have beneficial properties for men, women, and children. For the latter is a contraindication is large number fruits eaten at one time.

What blueberries look like

A small forest shrub from the heather family reaches a height of a meter or 30-50 cm, the stem can be creeping. It blooms with small five-toothed flowers; the fruits are juicy, rounded, elongated bluish-purple berries with edible pulp up to 12 mm in size. Blueberry bushes are confused with blueberries; their main difference is the woody stem and larger light-colored berries of the former. Blueberries are slightly sweeter and have purple-red juice that tends to stain your hands.

Where does it grow

In Russia, the blueberry or blueberry grows in areas from the Arctic to the Caucasus. The further south you go, the more often it is found in wetlands. The shrub is unpretentious and bears fruit well even on poor acidic soils. The creeping variety grows in fires and clearings; there are types of swamp, water and lowbush blueberries. In America, a tree-like variety is grown, which is convenient for harvesting fruits. Cultivated garden blueberries are distinguished by increased berry size, sweeter taste, early maturation plants.

Calorie content of blueberries

The energy value of healthy blueberries is 40 kcal per 100 g of product. This low calorie content is due to the content of sugars and fiber, the minimal content of proteins and fats. Berries contain organic acids, pectins, coloring, tannins, vitamins C, PP, K, A, group B, essential amino acids. The composition contains magnesium, phosphorus and calcium. Regular use fresh fruits brings many benefits, but there are also contraindications for taking berries.

Useful properties

antipyretic, anti-inflammatory effect, relief from colds;
restoration of the body after illness;
positive action on cardiovascular system, strengthening the walls of blood vessels;
lowering cholesterol levels, blood pressure;
reducing the risk of occurrence malignant tumors, cancer;
beneficial influence on gastrointestinal tract, improving metabolism;
normalization of the pancreas, decreased acidity gastric juice with gastritis;
lowering blood sugar levels in the treatment of diabetes;
removal of radioactive metals, protection of nerve cells from destruction;
Relieving eye strain, improving vision;
protection from age-related changes memory, increased concentration;
losing weight with overweight bodies.

Leaves

Valuable plant steroids and tannins were found in the leaves of the berry. They have an anti-inflammatory effect, increase the elasticity of the walls of blood vessels, reduce high blood pressure. Decoction from blueberry leaves reduces high temperature, normalizes intestinal health, serves as a means of preventing cancer. Herbal teas on the leaves help relieve constipation, eliminate joint pain, and have therapeutic effect.

Berries

Fresh fruits useful for older people with pancreatic diseases and vision problems. Fresh juice or blueberry juice lowers blood sugar levels, restores vision, and prevents the development of glaucoma. Other beneficial properties of berries:

magnesium in the composition soothes, reduces the risk of cardiovascular diseases;
blueberries contain vitamins K, PP and P, which reduce the risk of developing varicose veins and support blood clotting function;
juice protects the body from harmful radioactive radiation and poor ecology.

What are the benefits of blueberries for women?

In addition to the protective properties in case of poor ecology, the effect of preventing the occurrence of vitamin deficiency and the protection of all body systems, in women healthy berry finds next application:

masks made from pulp prolong youth, restore collagen fibers, cleanse and whiten the skin;
Blueberries are useful for losing weight - they are low in calories, enhance the secretion of gastric juice, the dietary product can be included in desserts or combined with cereals;
juice from 300 grams of fresh blueberries can satisfy daily norm in vitamins, it is considered much more valuable compared to pomegranate;
During pregnancy, the fruits provide the body with folic acid, ascorbic acid prevents the penetration of infections, magnesium improves sleep and calms the nervous system;
useful microelements the composition normalizes mood swings before menstruation; during pregnancy, the child’s neural tube is formed.

Blueberries during breastfeeding

Fruit drink, infusion of leaves, decoction and juice of blueberries are useful during lactation and feeding a newborn baby:

natural antioxidants strengthen the immunity of mother and child;
helps restore muscle tissue and cope with stretch marks after pregnancy;
vitamin PP provides normal functioning nervous system;
iron serves for the prevention and treatment of anemia and is completely absorbed;
calms the nerves;
pectin helps not to gain extra pounds;
Contraindications for use during lactation are a large number of consumed berries, which leads to diarrhea, bloating, and colic in the baby;
Fruits should be introduced into the diet gradually - when the baby is three months old, try a few berries and, in the absence of allergies or diathesis, include them in the diet.

Wild blueberries are also called hemlock, cabbage roll, drunkard, blue grapes, waterdrinker or dupe for its frequent proximity to wild rosemary, the intoxicating aroma of which became the reason for such folk names. Numerous studies have established the high medicinal qualities of blueberry juice.

Blueberry juice has a pleasant sweet and sour taste with a subtle aroma. American experts recognized blueberry juice as the most beneficial among other juices, including pomegranate, apple and grape. Blueberry juice received such recognition for its usefulness for its antioxidant properties. Blueberry juice has been found to contain several times more antioxidants than other juices. In addition, blueberry juice is rich in natural compounds, characterized by the presence of pronounced anti-inflammatory properties.

Studies have established that the average daily requirement of vitamins for a person is covered by one serving of blueberry juice. Blueberry juice is a real source mineral salts, organic acids and vitamins A and C, in addition, the juice contains various sugars, fiber, pectins, tannins and coloring substances. Due to the vitamin C content in blueberry juice, it has long been known in the Far North as an anti-scorbutic agent. Fresh blueberry juice or decoctions of blueberry berries are recommended as effective means in feverish conditions in patients. Blueberry juice is an excellent remedy for those suffering from diabetes, promoting metabolism, stimulating the entire body, accelerating tissue healing and acting as a catalyst in cases of use of drugs that lower blood sugar levels.

When studying the effect of blueberry juice on diabetes, it was found that regular consumption of juice helps to significantly reduce blood glucose levels. Three days after starting to drink blueberry juice, the level of glycemia in patients decreased by thirty-five percent.

Blueberry juice is rich in many physiologically active substances, including phenolic compounds. The flavonoids contained in the juice help reduce permeability and increase the strength of vascular walls, have a beneficial effect on the absorption of vitamin C, stimulate redox processes and the work of internal secretion.

Blueberry juice is recommended to be consumed as a general tonic and stimulating metabolic processes means. Besides, positive influence Blueberry juice helps in cases of disruption of the intestinal tract and stomach, stimulating the secretion of gastric juices.

Blueberries are classified as shrub plants. In its structure and structure, the plant resembles a blueberry. But unlike its “relative” and lingonberry, the blueberry bush is considered to be slightly taller. The average height of the shrub can reach up to 40 cm. Long and extremely branched shoots, as well as the structure of the leaves also indicate a close relationship of the plant with blueberries. The main advantage of blueberries is their frost resistance and durability. Many plants are able to live up to 100 years. During the flowering period, the shrub is covered with small flowers of a delicate white-pink hue. Already ripe fruits have a clear blue color. It occurs due to the fact that a waxy coating appears on the fruits.

Another difference between blueberries and blueberries is the absence of a coloring pigment. This allows you not to be afraid that after eating the berries your hands and mouth will turn blue or some other shade. The fruit consists of pulp greenish color. You should not literally compare blueberries and blueberries, if only because of the rare arrangement of leaf mass on the branches of the bush. You can simply compare the fruits of two plants and understand that blueberries are clearly larger in size. In addition, the taste of the compared fruits is also different.

Since the shrub tolerates severe frosts well, it can be found both in the mountains and in forest thickets in relation to swampy areas. The harsh conditions of forest-tundra and tundra are also suitable for the plant. Blueberries often choose blueberries and wild rosemary as their “neighbors” in the area. Due to its close proximity to the latter plant, blueberries have been given many other names, such as “foolberry”, “drunken berry”, “drunkard”.

The flowering period occurs at the beginning of the summer season. Moreover, it lasts about 10 days. Blueberry fruits are usually ready for harvest in July, so the fruit harvest is often combined with the harvest of another berry - blueberries. Buying this berry in a store is extremely difficult task. In ordinary forests it grows irregularly, and it is usually collected only for personal purposes. You can only hope for a good blueberry harvest if the summer is rainy enough for this.

Preparation and storage

The fruits are collected using a special tool - a comb. After the blueberry harvest is completed, they begin to prepare it for the winter. The procurement period, starting in July, ends in September. Fresh berries can be used to prepare various fruit dishes and homemade yoghurts. Even in culinary recipes blueberries are often found with blueberries or lingonberries.

In order for the fruits to retain all their beneficial properties, they must be preserved. For example, when frozen, berries retain their quality and taste for quite a long time, but you should not leave them for long useful product in the refrigerator. It is best to have time to consume it before the next harvesting season. Berries can also be soaked. Even inside glass jars The berry remains fresh in all its characteristics. For these purposes, it is better to take half-liter containers.

As another method of preservation, you can choose to make blueberry jam. Raw materials placed in such a sugar syrup can be kept in the refrigerator for one and a half to two years. Drying, although a less popular option, is used when preparing blueberries for winter period. To do this, you can use several techniques using special equipment. Sugaring can be suggested as an alternative for drying. Similar method allows you to preserve the freshness of fruits for up to a year.

Use in everyday life

Most often, the berries are consumed raw and canned, but this does not prevent them from being added to various desserts and cereals. Jelly and compotes made from blueberries are especially popular.

Since blueberries as a product have been studied very poorly, there is no reliable evidence of its use in any other capacity. Although blueberry decoctions have long been taken by the Russian-speaking population in the form of a general health drink.

Some people also use blueberry leaves in their everyday life to help fight diabetes. For women, infusions and decoctions from this plant are useful in the presence of leukoplakia. This disease difficult to treat, so internal and external use of berry derivatives is one of the few ways to defeat the disease.

Composition and medicinal properties

This berry is extremely useful, first of all, for its nutritional value. Blueberries contain a large amount of sugar and organic substances. Due to the considerable content of pectin substances in fruits, the body is cleansed of harmful compounds, which are based on heavy metals. This works especially fruitfully in the case of cobalt and strontium.
Normalization of metabolism, as well as the functioning of the entire circulatory system carried out due to micro- and macroelements included in the berry. Blueberry shoots are used in medicinal purposes just because they have high concentration tannins.
For female representatives, blueberries have in store no less useful elements- so-called antioxidants. They are designed to effectively fight the advancing aging process. This becomes possible due to the removal of free radicals from the body.
Blueberry juice is extremely popular in medicine. With its help, the body can be brought into appropriate tone. In addition, it is with him that everything in life can be normalized. necessary processes vital activity of the body. Regular use natural juice in particular, it will help cope with problems that arise during the functioning of the stomach and intestines. His unique composition promotes the natural formation of gastric juice. Blueberry infusion is extremely useful for people who have signs of gastritis, which has low acidity.
Blueberries not only help maintain elasticity and prevent aging of the skin, but also protect against aging nerve cells the body as a whole. This berry has some protection from low doses of radio emissions.
Thanks to his chemical composition, blueberries can be included in the diet for patients with diabetes. This product helps effectively reduce blood sugar. In addition, decoctions of this berry due to great content vitamin C can be used as medicinal product of natural origin against common colds.

Use in folk medicine

Representatives alternative medicine assess the capabilities of blueberries at a sufficient level. However, due to the fact that this plant also has such a popular nickname as “drunkara”, traditional healers do not recommend consuming the berry in large quantities.

Kidney decoction

The beneficial qualities of the berry are mainly aimed at the production of various decoctions, which in the future are excellent in helping with impaired renal processes, and also normalize the functioning of the pancreas. Brew 50 grams of berries (fresh or dried) in 0.5 liters of water, leave until cool and drink during the day between meals.

A restorative decoction and how to prevent oncology

Also, with regular consumption of berries, you can activate the normal activity of other glands responsible for internal secretion. Based on this, it follows that decoctions based on blueberries can successfully prevent against various tumors in the body. Mash a glass of blueberries and cook compote in 2 liters of water with the addition of a glass of sugar. Drink throughout the day

Blueberries for weight loss

Blueberries have universal taste qualities, which is why many women enjoy including this nutritious berry in their diets. At the same time, the product is considered low-calorie, given the fact that 100 g of berries contains only about 60 kcal. Many diets suggest replacing one meal with this healthy dish: 150 grams of cottage cheese, tsp. honey and a handful of fresh blueberries. Normalizes natural cleansing of the body, promotes weight loss.

Treatment of rheumatism

For rheumatism and atherosclerosis traditional medicine also suggests taking blueberries. Sufficient quantity iron and calcium helps fill the deficiency chemical elements in the body. At the same time, berries allow the body to obtain such important trace element, like vitamin K. A day is enough to eat 50-80 grams of berries of any kind. Can be added to meat dishes to add flavor.

Blueberries to improve vision

If eating blueberries turns into good habit, then you can achieve good result in relieving eye strain. If there is constant stress on the eyesight, this product must be included in a person’s diet. In addition, in some cases, berries can help restore vision, but this is done extremely slowly. Traditional healers claim that adding blueberries to everyday food can help treat vision when diagnosed with glaucoma - eat 2 tablespoons of berries sprinkled with sugar per day.

Decoction to strengthen blood vessels

The unique composition of blueberries is also able to combat varicose veins. It is worth remembering that it is vitamin K that is responsible for normalizing the blood clotting process in the body. Therefore, people who are facing any surgery, are obliged to accept natural preparations, which contain blueberries. Subsequently, after the operation, blueberry intake does not stop, but on the contrary, it is taken for some more time. This is necessary so that all wounds and injuries in the body heal safely. Brew two branches with leaves in a glass of water, drink three times.

Blueberry leaf decoction to treat diarrhea

Make a strong infusion - 3-4 stems (or a tablespoon dried herb) Brew 200 ml of boiling water in a thermos. Leave for 3 hours. Strain and drink immediately.

Dried berries and decoction to strengthen the immune system

During the period of vitamin deficiency, as well as immune weakening it will not hurt the body to take dried blueberries as food additives into fresh tea.

Tea made from dried berries for diabetes and its prevention

This infusion reduces sugar levels: mash 20 grams of dried berries and keep in a glass of water in a water bath (or oven) for 15 minutes. Cool and drink the liquid. If there are no gastrointestinal diseases, it is also good to eat berries.

Contraindications for use

You should calculate the daily dose of blueberries in one form or another as accurately as possible. Significantly exceeding established limits can lead to symptoms similar to alcohol poisoning body: vomiting, headaches and nausea.
You need to be extremely careful when consuming blueberries during pregnancy and lactation. Increased content in the blood of the substances included in this berry may not cause much harm to the mother, but their effect can negatively affect the child’s body, leading to a severe form of intoxication.
It is also worth abandoning the considered natural product if there are signs of biliary dyskinesia.