Useful properties of blueberries and contraindications. Useful properties of blueberries

Blueberry is a delicious wild berry that has long been considered a natural healer. Berries and green leaves are used for medicinal purposes in official and alternative medicine, cooking, dietetics and cosmetology. Useful properties and contraindications of blueberries should be studied even by those who are not fond of folk recipes, because even a handful of fresh berries eaten in the morning will help improve mood and well-being.

Appearance

Blueberries are a low-growing shrub of the Heather family up to 30 cm high. The leaves of the plant are dark green, the fruits are blue-black or dark purple, medium-sized, covered with a bluish bloom, which is easy to remove. The taste of the northern berry is sour-sweet, juicy, inside is bright red pulp and juice, there are small soft seeds.

The name of the blueberry is fully consistent with its appearance. It came from the color of the fruits of the plant and from the ability to stain the hands, mouth and clothes of berries in purple and lilac shades.

You can meet blueberry bushes in the northern regions. They grow mainly in pine coniferous or mixed forests, in swampy dark areas. The natural range of blueberries is Northern Europe, the zone of the Asian taiga. In Russia, the natural product grows in the Urals, in Karelia and Siberia, in certain European regions of the country. A valuable plant blooms in May, the best time to collect fruits is July.

Valuable composition

The benefits of blueberries for the body are due to an impressive list of minerals, vitamins and valuable substances. The composition of the berries includes:

• organic acids - lactic, citric, malic, succinic, acetic, oxalic, quinic;
• essential oils - they have anti-inflammatory properties, destroy bacteria;
• - contribute to the removal of toxins from the intestines, harmful compounds and decomposition products;
• tannins - endowed with antimicrobial properties, accelerate tissue regeneration;
• cellulose;
• ash;
• water - up to 85%;
• vitamins - A (carotene), B1, B2, B4, B5, B6, E, K, C, PP;
• micro and macro elements - zinc, selenium, manganese, potassium, phosphorus, magnesium, iron, copper, sodium, calcium.

Organic acids make the berry truly unique. The abundance of these compounds normalizes metabolism, slows down the aging process at the cellular level, they have antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. Tannins, carotene, phenolic acids, pectin have a positive effect on the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract.

It is interesting

The calorie content of the fruits of a wild shrub is 44 calories per 100 g of product.

B vitamins are involved in the normalization of the nervous system, vitamin A helps to cope with toxic substances, vitamin C is important for the body's immune system, vitamin PP is responsible for the state of blood vessels and brain function. Micro and macro elements ensure the normal functioning of the body as a whole.

The benefits of berries

Before using the northern berry, you should carefully study its beneficial properties and contraindications. The value of blueberries is as follows.

• The berry is an excellent means of preventing cancerous tumors. The antioxidants present in the composition affect the malignant formations at the cellular level, stop their development, strengthen the vessels of the heart.
• It is widely used in the treatment of eye diseases and solves problems such as decreased visual acuity, conjunctivitis, retinal detachment, improves vascular nutrition, relieves fatigue.
• It removes harmful compounds, slags, toxins and metal salts from the body.
• It strengthens the protective functions of the body, is used to increase immunity and in preventive measures against colds.
• Improves metabolism.
• It has an anti-inflammatory effect, which allows it to be used to treat rheumatism, problems with the liver, kidneys, urinary and gall bladders.
• It normalizes blood sugar levels, so berries are often indicated for diabetes.

Blueberries, the beneficial properties of which help fight many ailments, have a choleretic, diuretic effect. Due to the content of tannins, it relieves diarrhea in a chronic form. Wild berry prolongs youth, improves memory, increases muscle strength and endurance, and normalizes blood pressure.

leaf benefits

Along with the healing properties of blueberries, the leaves of the plant have incredible benefits:

• help with anemia;
• used to treat urolithiasis;
• normalize digestion;
• reduce blood sugar levels;
• have wound healing and bactericidal properties;
• in the composition of decoctions are an effective tool in the fight against hemorrhoids.

Blueberry tea relieves inflammation in the mouth and sore throat, treats coughs and headaches. Herbal raw materials improve vision, reduce anxiety, fight depression, insomnia. A decoction and infusion of the leaves of the plant are widely used for the manufacture of compresses, baths in the treatment of problems and damage to the skin (wounds, burns, eczema), colds. Solutions with blueberry components are used for douching with cystitis and other gynecological problems.

The leaves of a valuable berry have found their application in cosmetology. On their basis, lotions, tonics and other natural remedies for seborrhea, acne, oily hair are prepared.

The health benefits and harms of eating berries depend on where they are collected. Blueberries tend to accumulate harmful toxic and radioactive compounds in fruits and leaves. Therefore, for a positive effect of a natural product on the body, it is necessary to collect it in ecologically clean areas.

Consumption rates

A valuable wild berry is considered a fairly strong potential allergen. It is recommended to start eating it with small doses. Children and pregnant women should eat no more than half a teaspoon of blueberries for the first time.

The rate of consumption of dark blue berries is no more than half a glass three times a week. Even with good functioning of the gastrointestinal tract, the absence of other visible problems and allergic reactions, it is not worth exceeding the recommended dose.

Benefits for Women

The health benefits and harms of a forest plant were known even to our ancestors. For a long time blueberry fruits are called "rejuvenating". Due to the high content of antioxidants, the product protects the female body from aging, fights the first signs of fading, and rejuvenates cells.

The regular inclusion of berries in the diet has a positive effect on health:

• improves skin firmness and elasticity, improves general condition;
• improves the activity of the organs of the reproductive system, regulates the menstrual cycle;
• improves the condition of the veins, puts in order the circulation in the blood vessels.

During pregnancy, it is advisable to eat fresh blueberries regularly: the berry is able to saturate the body with vitamins and minerals. If the expectant mother is ill with a cold or flu, folk recipes from blueberry decoctions and teas can come to the rescue. Thanks to antiviral, antipyretic and anti-inflammatory properties, such remedies will cure a sore throat, tonsils, and relieve stomatitis.

Benefits for men

The use of blueberries also has a positive effect on men's health. She is capable of:

• increase potency, improve sexual health;
• help with prostate problems;
• beneficial effect on the activity of the heart.

The flavones and flavanones contained in the berries affect men's health and longevity.

Benefits for children

Undoubtedly, the inclusion of a valuable product in the diet of children will bring only positive aspects. During the blueberry picking season, it is recommended to give it to babies and older children to saturate the body with vitamins and increase immunity.

Babies can be offered healthy fruits from the age of seven months.

Blueberries with sugar

One of the easiest ways to harvest berries is to roll them into jars of sugar. To do this, you need to take fresh berries and sugar in equal proportions. Pour the fruits with cold water, leave for 30 minutes, then sprinkle on a towel and let dry. Rub the blueberries through a sieve or beat with a blender, pour the mass with sugar, let it dissolve completely.

Spread the healing blank in sterile jars, add sugar on top, close with a nylon lid. Keep refrigerated.

The benefit of blueberry jam is that raw materials are harvested for the winter without heat treatment. All valuable vitamins and minerals are almost completely preserved.

Recipes

Healing leaves and berries will help with various ailments and for preventive purposes. The greatest benefit is in ripe fresh fruits. A frozen and non-boiled product remains valuable for health; when exposed to high temperatures, useful substances in blueberries are preserved, but in smaller quantities.

• For vision

Pour fresh blueberries (2 tablespoons) with cold water (200 ml), leave to infuse for 8 hours. Drink at once, repeat for 21 days.

• From a sore throat

Pour dried berries (100 g) with clean water (500 ml), cook until the liquid is reduced by half. Gargle a sore throat with a decoction of blueberries up to 6 times a day.

• Skin diseases

Compresses from a decoction of blueberries will help with lichen, psoriasis, burns, eczema, ulcers. To prepare them, fruits (100 g) must be poured with hot water (200 ml), heated over low heat for 5 minutes, left to cool. Grind the berries, moisten the napkins in the mixture, apply to the affected area three times a day for 2 weeks.

Contraindications

The use of blueberries and any preparations from it is contraindicated in the following pathologies:

• oxalaturia;
• individual intolerance;
• frequent constipation;
• diseases of the gallbladder in a chronic form;
• diseases of the pancreas.

With the abuse of the berry, the development of an allergic reaction and disruption of the digestive system is possible. In the presence of some chronic diseases, before taking the fruit, it is worth consulting with a specialist in order to avoid negative consequences.

Blueberries, the benefits and harms of which were discussed in this article, are a valuable berry. Its regular use will preserve health, beauty and youth, improve well-being, strengthen blood vessels and heart.

Of all the wild berries, blueberries are the hardest to pick. It does not grow in sunny glades, like strawberries, but in the most gloomy corners into which the sun's rays do not penetrate. However, people do not pay attention to these inconveniences and rush into the forests every summer to collect fruits from a low-growing shrub. Blueberries are harvested for the winter - the beneficial properties and contraindications are already known to everyone, not only berries, but also leaves and shoots, because they contain the main healing properties for the human body. There are a lot of plant recipes.

What is blueberry

A perennial deciduous slow-growing bush of blueberries (chernegi, blueberries, blueberries) belongs to the genus Vaccinium of the Vereskov family. It grows up to 60 centimeters high. Flowering lasts from May to June, and the berries ripen in July-August. The plant begins to bear fruit from the second year. At first, a small number of large berries appear on the bush, but over time they become many, but already smaller. Fresh fruits are low in calories: 100 grams contain only 57 calories.

Where does it grow

Blueberries do not grow in the southern hemisphere. Residents of hot eastern countries are not familiar with this plant either. The only place on the planet where you can find large blueberry plantations is the northern hemisphere. In the North, it is easy to see thickets of shrubs that stretch for tens of kilometers. Blueberries grow in well-moistened marshy places, in coniferous or mixed forests. The largest berry plantations are located in Russia.

What does it look like

In ordinary forests, the height of a blueberry bush reaches 20-35 centimeters, but near a swamp, a plant can grow up to half a meter. The berries there are also juicier and larger. The stems of the shrub are straight branching, and the leaves are thin, smooth, finely serrated. Small flowers of the plant have a white-greenish color with a pink tint. Blueberry fruits are a blue-black berry similar in shape to a small ball. Inside it is purple-red in color with numerous seeds.

Useful properties of blueberries

The plant is rich in antioxidants that help fight stress. The use of berries, due to the neutralization of free radicals, slows down the aging process of the body, is the prevention of cancer, stroke, atherosclerosis, heart attack. The vitamin composition of the plant is represented by ascorbic acid, retinol, tocopherol, PP group, B.

• chromium;
• zinc;
• sulfur;
• calcium;
• magnesium;
• potassium;
• sodium;
• phosphorus.

Leaves

They are famous for their bactericidal properties due to the fact that they contain vitamin C in large quantities. The use of preparations containing blueberry leaf helps to get rid of heartburn, relieves stomach cramps, and increases the acidity of gastric juice. Blueberry leaves have useful anti-inflammatory, choleretic, diuretic properties, therefore they are effective in kidney and liver diseases. Decoctions are used for infections of the oral cavity - stomatitis, periodontal disease. Blueberry leaves can do one harm to the body - cause allergic reactions.

Berries

For treatment, fresh, frozen or dried blueberries are used, if there are no contraindications. The presence of useful tannins in them has an anti-inflammatory effect. Frozen berries are indispensable in winter in the treatment of sore throats and for the prevention of colds. When frozen, blueberries do not lose their beneficial properties, having a beneficial effect on the immune system and the digestive system. It is used for indigestion, diseases of the pancreas, liver. Dried berries have a diuretic effect, so they are used for urolithiasis.

shoots

What blueberries are good for the body has been known for a long time, but not all people know that the shoots of the plant also have anti-inflammatory properties. If there are no contraindications, they are used in diabetes due to the ability to lower glucose levels. Blueberry shoots collect toxins and salts of heavy metals, remove toxins from the body, which helps to eliminate inflammatory reactions in diseases of the stomach and intestines. Young elements of the plant are used for degeneration of the retina, so the use of tea from blueberry shoots improves vision.

Folk recipes with blueberries

Due to the presence of valuable trace elements, blueberries are used during the diet, used in cosmetology and cooking. It helps to cope with tumors, strengthens blood vessels, improves metabolism in the process of losing weight. Rejuvenating berry in folk medicine is used to treat rheumatism, burns, hemorrhoids, cough, and other pathologies. In gynecological practice, douching is carried out with an infusion of shoots or leaves of a plant. Blueberry antioxidants help to cope with anemia, control blood pressure.

For vision

The benefit of blueberries for the eyes is that its components improve vision with myopia. Use for the treatment of infusions, freshly squeezed juice, jam. How blueberries are prepared and used for vision:

1. A decoction of dried berries. Pour 200 g of blueberries with ½ cup of boiling water. Let it brew for 30 minutes, then drink half a glass of a medicinal drink 2-3 times a day until vision improves.
2. Drops from fresh blueberries. Squeeze the juice from several fresh berries, dilute with water 1: 2, instill both eyes daily, if there are no contraindications.

With gastritis

Inflammation of the gastric mucosa imposes certain restrictions on the diet. Plant secretin, which is found in blueberries, helps to normalize the digestion process. A rich complex of minerals and vitamins promotes the regeneration of cells in the walls of the stomach, preventing their destruction. How to take blueberries for gastritis:

1. Blueberry wine. Increases the level of acidity. To prepare, you need to take half a glass of berries, rinse, pour 100 ml of water, boil over low heat for 15 minutes. Then add 1 glass of homemade grape wine, hold for another 10 minutes on fire. The tool is taken three times a day for 1 tbsp. l. before meals 30 minutes.
2. A decoction of dried leaves. For cooking, you need to pour 60 g of crushed raw materials with a liter of water and cook for 20 minutes over low heat. It is necessary to take a drink for half a glass before each meal.

From hemorrhoids

If we compare the benefits and harms of blueberries, then we must take into account that there are very few contraindications, and the healing properties of the berry cannot be counted. For example, dry leaves of the plant are widely used for hemorrhoids. And compresses are made from berries, which are applied to hemorrhoids. Folk recipes for hemorrhoids:

1. Enemas from blueberry broth. Steam a couple of tablespoons of chopped dry leaves in a glass of boiling water, boil for 25 minutes. After the broth, strain, add boiling water to the edge of the glass and divide into 4 procedures.
2. Sitting baths. In a sealed container, boil for 20 minutes 20 grams of dry or fresh berries, then squeeze, strain. The temperature of the decoction should not exceed 60°C. Baths should be taken until the water cools down.

From impotence

With sexual impotence, blueberries will also help. This dietary product effectively fights kidney and genitourinary diseases that provoke erectile dysfunction in men. Recipes for impotence:

1. Blueberry tea. For its preparation, both berries and leaves of the plant are used. A richer and brighter taste can be obtained from young shoots. The plant is brewed and drunk for impotence, like regular tea.
2. Blueberry juice. It is recommended to drink a glass of freshly squeezed juice without sugar every morning. A natural drink for impotence is drunk on an empty stomach chilled.

For sore throat

Blueberries are very useful for children. Especially during a sore throat or severe cough. As a rule, along with drug treatment, doctors for throat diseases prescribe drugs such as Blueberry Forte or others containing blueberry extract. Recipes recommended by traditional medicine:

1. Infusion. One st. l. crushed fresh berries should be poured with boiling water (250 ml), let it brew. Drink a drink in two doses every day until the symptoms disappear. When treating a cold, you can make the infusion more concentrated.
2. Gargling. A thick blueberry decoction should be used not only for oral administration, but also for rinsing the mouth. This should be done as often as possible during the day to get rid of inflammatory processes.

For skin diseases

The plant is effective in the treatment of eczema, dermatitis and other skin diseases. Especially the plant saves pregnant women, who are forbidden to use many medicines while carrying a child. The plant has many useful properties that are not lost when used externally:

1. Compresses. Pour dried berries with water in a ratio of 1:5, cook until half of the liquid boils away. The mixture should be cooled, put on gauze, then used on the affected areas of the skin in the form of a compress, if there are no contraindications from the doctor.
2. Puree. Instead of a decoction, you can use freshly squeezed mashed potatoes. The berries should be mashed, put on a gauze bandage, which must be changed several times a day.

From pressure

Organic acids, proteins and monosaccharides contained in blueberry fruits have a positive effect on the functioning of the cardiovascular system. The following recipes will help normalize blood pressure:

1. Infusion. With hypertension, it is useful to drink blueberry infusion at a dose of one glass per day. To prepare it, 4 teaspoons of fruit should be poured with a glass of boiling water, then insisted for 8 hours.
2. Morse. To prepare the drink, you will need 200 g of fresh berries, 1 liter of water, 4 tbsp. l. Sahara. Blueberry fruits must be wiped, poured with water, boiled for 7 minutes. Then remove the drink from the heat, filter and add sugar. You need to drink mors daily for 2 glasses.

For diarrhea and constipation

Blueberries contain a plethora of nutrients that help normalize any stomach upsets. Recipes:

1. From constipation. Berries are famous for their ability to remove toxins and act as a mild laxative, so for constipation, they are best consumed fresh. You can get rid of the problem by eating 100 g per day.

Blueberries preferentially grow in swamps and pine forests. The berries are placed on a tall shrub, which is resistant to temperature extremes and cold. Blueberry fruits are rightfully considered unique, they are used everywhere: in cooking, medicine, cosmetology. In this regard, many people have a question about what benefits and harms a berry can bring.

Calorie content and chemical composition

Incoming biologically active compounds endow blueberries with medicinal properties. The berry contains more than 7% of tannins, which affect the heart muscle and have a positive effect.

The dark shade of blueberries is due to the contained anthocyanins. It also contains antioxidants that protect tissues from free radicals. Among them are flavonoids, tannin, prontoanthocyanides.

Blueberry pulp includes organic acids such as quinic, succinic, oxalic, malic, lactic, citric. The composition contains a mass of carbohydrates (more than 7.5%), proteins, dietary fiber, pectin.

In addition to the above compounds, blueberries are rich in carotenoids, which have a beneficial effect on vision. The fruits contain a lot of essential oils, glycosides, poly- and disaccharides.

With regards to macro- and microelements, blueberries are rich in copper, manganese, calcium, potassium, sodium, phosphorus, iron, and magnesium. From vitamins, ascorbic acid is isolated in large volumes, tocopherol, nicotinic acid, riboflavin, thiamine and others.

With all this, the calorie content of 100 gr. berries is only 43 kcal.

The benefits of blueberries

1. A fully balanced vitamin composition will strengthen the immune system without causing allergies. In this regard, blueberries are considered hypoallergenic, so it can be consumed by adults and children.
2. When a person does not have insulin dependence (a mild form of diabetes), blueberries are used as a remedy for the treatment of the disease. Inulin, which is part of the berries, reduces sugar levels and keeps them at the proper level.
3. Tannins support the activity of the gastrointestinal tract, relieve diarrhea. With diarrhea, it is useful to drink blueberry jelly.
4. Bactericidal and anti-inflammatory properties allow the use of fruits for the treatment of the throat, mucous membranes of the nasopharynx, and diseases of the oral cavity. A decoction made from dried berries kills typhoid pathogens.
5. Flavonoids provide strength to capillaries and vessels, open blood channels, improve blood microcirculation, and reduce the risk of thrombosis.
6. Iron deficiency is known to cause anemia. Blueberries make up for the deficiency of the mineral, carrying out a serious prevention of anemia in children and adults.
7. Blueberries are indicated for use by people who suffer from gallstone disease. A decoction prepared from dried or fresh fruits with the addition of shrub leaves helps to remove sand and stones from the cavity of internal organs (kidneys, gallbladder).
8. Blueberries are the champion among foods that affect visual acuity. Eating fruits reduces the likelihood of cataracts, strengthens the eye muscles, and lubricates the mucous membranes. Berries are useful for patients with low vision.
9. The product prevents the deposition of salts in the joints, prevents atherosclerosis, stops bleeding in the intestines. Blueberries control blood pressure, eliminating jumps.
10. Blueberries absorb and remove toxic compounds, harmful decay products, old waste. Berries help to cope with chronic constipation and normalize the digestive system for a long time.
11. The fruits of the shrub are used for the manufacture of medicines aimed at combating radiation sickness. Berries cleanse the body of heavy metals, preventing cancer.
12. Fresh fruits treat dermatological problems such as eczema, psoriasis, dermatitis, etc. It is enough to chop a handful of berries in a blender, apply to the problem area and wait 1 hour.
13. People who suffer from tuberculosis, pneumonia, bronchitis, tonsillitis, it is useful to consume a decoction of fresh blueberries. Brew the harvest of raw materials with a glass of boiling water, let it brew for 2 hours. Use 30 ml. 4 times a day.

1. Blueberry berries improve the functioning of the testicles, thereby improving the quality of spermatozoa. The fruits should be eaten by couples who have difficulty conceiving a child. Blueberries control reproductive function, potency and sexual activity in particular.
2. Numerous scientific studies have proven that the flavones contained in the berries support “male strength” for many years.
3. The valuable properties of blueberries make it possible to use it for the treatment of ailments associated with the prostate gland. In addition, the product prevents diseases of the cardiac system.

Benefits of blueberries for women

1. Since ancient times, the fruits of the shrub have been used to rejuvenate the skin. The complex of essential amino acids and vitamins maintains the dermis at the proper level, maintains the level of moisture and oxygen in the skin, thereby stimulating the production of collagen with elastin.
2. Incoming antioxidants prevent premature aging of tissues, promote cell regeneration, and accelerate blood circulation. All this is reflected in women's health in a favorable way.
3. Doctors advise eating blueberries on critical days. The berry will relieve muscle spasms and remove the unpleasant symptoms of menstruation. It is advisable for ladies during menopause to eat the product in order to reduce the number of hot flashes.
4. Berries affect the condition of the hair, so masks and other cosmetics are often made from them. After a month of internal use and external use, the hair acquires a noticeable shine and density, dandruff disappears.
5. The fairer sex is more likely than men to suffer from varicose veins. Wild blueberry normalizes blood flow, improving circulation in the blood channels. As a result, the symptoms of the disease partially disappear.

1. Pregnant girls need a certain complex of vitamins and minerals that come from food. This is due to the fact that the lady is responsible for 2 organisms - her own and the baby.
2. Blueberries maintain hemoglobin in the blood, form the central nervous system and the skeleton of the unborn baby, and control the mother's blood pressure.
3. Blueberries have bactericidal and anti-inflammatory properties, so it should be eaten by pregnant ladies who are sick. The berry will relieve fever, remove mucus from the respiratory tract if necessary, overcome sore throats and flu.
4. You can make juice from fresh berries, then they need to gargle or gargle. In the latter case, stomatitis and other similar problems are treated.
5. Blueberry fruits affect the beauty of the skin, hair and nails of a girl in position. If you consume berries throughout pregnancy, after childbirth you will not encounter massive hair loss, exfoliated nails and problematic epidermis.
6. Girls in position often suffer from swelling of the internal organs and limbs. To get rid of heaviness in the legs and remove excess fluid, it is necessary to prepare a decoction of dried blueberries.

The benefits of blueberries for children

1. Pediatricians advise treating children with fresh berries during periods of SARS, influenza, tonsillitis and other viral infections. Fruits not only have an anti-inflammatory effect, but also strengthen the immune system. Serious disease prevention is being carried out.
2. Blueberries contain a lot of calcium, which directly affects the musculoskeletal system. If you eat the product systematically during its ripening period, voids in the bones will be filled, muscles will begin to form faster.
3. Due to the hypoallergenic composition, fruits can be treated to small children who have reached the age of 6-7 months. Consumption begins with puree from 0.5 handfuls, then the amount gradually increases.
4. Specialists practice the treatment of childhood diarrhea with blueberries. Berries normalize stool and normalize gastrointestinal motility. When the product is consumed as food, the nervous system of the child is toned, mental activity increases, and sleep improves.

1. Blueberry twigs and leaves have gained popularity in folk medicine. Experienced healers use raw materials to cleanse the intestines, combat swelling.
2. Antioxidant properties regenerate tissues at the cellular level, free internal organs from radionuclides and free radicals. Good prevention of oncology is carried out.
3. Blueberry leaves and branches brewed in boiling water increase the quantity and quality of blood cells, partially thin the blood, strengthen the vascular walls, and control the pulse.
4. If you drink the decoction regularly, you will improve the condition of the liver, free it from harmful decay products, fill the voids in the structure. The drink removes sand and stones from the kidneys.
5. A drug made from fresh or dried leaves lowers body temperature, so the decoction is used for colds. If you combine drinking with the intake of fresh berries, a person will recover faster after an illness.
6. The raw material tones the psycho-emotional background, calms the nervous system, fights nightmares and insomnia. Regular intake of the drink improves mood.
7. Leaves and twigs control cholesterol levels by preventing plaque deposits. This quality is appreciated by diabetics, who are often overweight.
8. Blueberry decoctions are used to normalize the stool and the entire digestive system in particular. The drink relieves the symptoms of a hangover, contributing to the rapid breakdown and removal of ethyl alcohol.

Harm of blueberries

If you abuse blueberries, you can significantly harm the body.

If you have chronic constipation, give up fresh and dried berries, do not take blueberry decoctions.

Blueberries are difficult to digest, so their introduction into the children's menu is carried out only after the approval of the pediatrician.

The intake of fruits is contraindicated in patients with peptic ulcer of the duodenum and stomach.

2 more warnings - an allergic reaction and individual intolerance to blueberries.

The rich chemical composition and calorie content make it possible to use blueberries in all areas. Most often, berries are prescribed for pregnant and lactating girls, children with stool disorders, and men with sexual dysfunction. In addition, blueberry fruits prevent many diseases.

Video: beneficial properties of blueberries

Blueberries are considered one of the healthiest and most delicious berries.

There are a huge number of recipes for its preparation.

But do not forget that blueberries are not just a simple tasty treat, but also a real medicine.

Thanks to the substances it contains, blueberries can have a positive effect on the human body.

Blueberries useful properties

The benefit of blueberries lies in the fact that it contains a lot of substances necessary for the body.

1. Blueberries contain: potassium, magnesium, calcium, phosphorus, sodium, copper, iron.
2. It is rich in vitamins C, B1, B6, PP.

Let's take a closer look at how blueberries help us

• Thanks to its useful substances, it helps to improve vision and adapt the eyes to night visibility. Also, with the help of blueberries, many diseases associated with vision are treated: retinal detachment, conjunctivitis, etc. The main thing is not to forget that the benefits of the berry are felt only in a set of methods to strengthen vision.
• Juice and decoction treat diseases of the stomach. With constipation, fresh berries help, and with diarrhea, on the contrary, dried ones.
• It has a good anti-inflammatory effect. Used for rheumatism, diseases of the gallbladder and liver.
• For women, blueberries are useful in that they are a regulator of the menstrual cycle.
• Helps treat diseases of the bladder and kidneys.
• For diabetics, blueberries are useful because they lower blood sugar levels.
• It is used in cosmetic preparations to improve the condition of the skin.
• Able to slow down the aging of the body. It perfectly removes toxins from it and promotes rejuvenation.
• Good for preventive purposes. Regular consumption of these berries helps to maintain immunity, as well as to ensure that diseases of the cardiovascular system do not develop.
• It is a good tool for weight loss, due to its low calorie content, combined with a rich set of nutrients and vitamins.

In addition to all of the above, we note that blueberries are a delicious delicacy from which you can make juices, jelly, tea, and use them as a food supplement.

Some people like to just eat berries. With the addition of blueberries, gourmet desserts are made. At the same time, we are talking not only about its berries.

Useful properties of blueberry leaves

In addition to berries, blueberries are also famous for their leaves, which also have a beneficial effect on the body when used correctly and are truly a medicine. They contain:

• flavonoids that have a positive effect on the blood and blood vessels;
• triterpenic acids;
• vitamin C;
• essential oil;
• glycoside arbutin;
• carotenoids.

It is best to collect blueberry leaves during flowering, because it is during this period that the greatest amount of useful substances is found in this plant. Cut blueberry leaves carefully with scissors.

Then the leaves must be thoroughly dried in a sufficiently ventilated area. And finally, they need to be packed.

Blueberry leaves are almost as healthy as the berries themselves. They are able to provide:

• tonic effect;
• antiseptic action;
• anti-inflammatory action.

Previously, blueberry leaves were brewed and used as tea, but now they have practically ceased to be used in this form.

Now, first of all, blueberry leaves are used:

• with various kinds of skin lesions (wounds, burns, eczema);
• with skin diseases.

Blueberries during pregnancy

The abundance of usefulness contained in blueberries a priori makes it an indispensable product that should be added to the diet of a pregnant woman. The iron contained in the berry can raise the level of hemoglobin. Calcium helps to form the bone structure of the child, which is very important for him to be strong.

After all, the bones of a child grow stronger at a very early age. Eating blueberries can also help a new mother overcome colds and cope with their effects by strengthening the immune system.

Blueberries cleanse the body of toxins, and also removes toxins from the blood. However, keep in mind that pregnant women should not get too carried away with the berry, because it is known for its fixative effect and can lead to constipation, which can cause a host of other problems.

calories

The calorie content of blueberries does not shine with large numbers, so you can not be afraid for your figure. For 100 gr. blueberries account for only 44 kcal.

Other nutritional values ​​can be seen below:

• proteins - 1.1 gr.;
• carbohydrates - 11 gr.;
• fats - 0.6 gr.

For those who want to lose weight, blueberries are completely harmless due to their low calorie content. In addition, the blueberry leaf tea mentioned above is brewed for this purpose. The bottom line is that it can reduce the level of appetite. It also lowers blood sugar levels. Also, this tea has a tonic effect.

Tip: to make blueberry tea, take 60 gr. blueberry leaves and pour 1 liter of boiling water. Let it brew for a few minutes, and then - the tea is ready to drink. If desired, you can add other herbs to the leaves that go well with blueberries.

They make excellent jam from blueberries, some people like to just eat it with sugar, others dry it and then cook blueberry jelly. Blueberries have many applications, the main thing is to choose the right one.

For those who want to lose weight, it is ideal to eat fresh blueberries and brew blueberry tea.

Harm

The benefits of blueberries are obvious. But are there bad qualities? First of all, individual intolerances associated with an individual, because if you eat blueberries in reasonable quantities, it will not harm the body.

However, consider the most common cases where blueberries are harmful:

• Binge eating. If you eat more than 0.5 kg of blueberries per day, this can lead to indigestion. In addition, it should be carefully used in combination with other berries, fruits and vegetables.
• Allergy. It can be both a consequence of overeating (in most cases), and a signal of individual intolerance. If you have never eaten these berries before, start with a small amount to rule out allergies. An allergic rash can occur because blueberries are rich in antioxidants.
• Do not combine blueberries with cloudberries, raspberries, strawberries and strawberries.
• With sugar, it is not useful for diabetics, although it contains a huge amount of useful substances.
• It is famous for the fact that it is able to accumulate substances in itself, which means that it must be collected in environmentally friendly areas. So, it is able to accumulate radiation if there are any radioactive lesions nearby. In addition, industrial areas that emit large amounts of chemicals should be avoided.
• The use of blueberries is contraindicated for those people who have problems with the biliary tract, as well as those who suffer from diseases such as pancreatitis and urolithiasis. This is due to the fact that blueberries contain oxalic acid.
• Overeating can lead to constipation, as blueberries have a fixing effect.
• The use of blueberries is contraindicated in people with diseases of the pancreas.
• Many food manufacturers speculate on the fact that they contain blueberries, which means that by using their product, the buyer's eyesight should improve. In fact, this is a simple publicity stunt, and the content of blueberries in juices, for example, is more than doubtful.

Blueberries are a low-growing shrub of the Heather family with delicious edible berries. Useful substances are found in the leaves and berries of blueberries, so the plant is considered medicinal, and is used in folk and official medicine to cure many diseases.

General information and chemical composition

The height of blueberries is no more than 50 cm, the berries are dark blue, or blue-black, with a white wax coating. The taste of berries is sweet and sour, tart and astringent, due to the rich chemical composition, blueberry berries and leaves have found application in cooking and medicine.

In addition, blueberry flowers are rich in nectar, it is a good honey plant, and blueberry honey, which has a reddish tint, has a pleasant aroma and the same healing properties as blueberries.

Blueberries bloom in May, the berries ripen in mid-summer - these dates vary depending on the climate. Berries can be eaten fresh, as well as prepare jam, tinctures, liqueurs, compotes, fruit drinks, jelly, wine, medicinal decoctions and infusions.

For long-term storage, the fruits can be dried or frozen - the beneficial properties of the berries do not completely disappear from this, although they become smaller over time.

Blueberry leaves for the preparation of medicines are harvested in May, and dried like all herbs - under a canopy, in a draft, spreading a thin layer on paper or cloth. The shelf life of the leaves is up to 1.5 years.

What substances give blueberries healing properties? There are a lot of them in berries, these are organic acids, tannins, dietary fibers, anthocyanins, flavonoids, pectins, tannins, pantothenic acid, sugar, essential oils.

There are vitamins - retinol, ascorbic acid, B vitamins; as well as useful minerals - iron, phosphorus, potassium, iodine, calcium, magnesium, sodium, sulfur, chromium, zinc, manganese.

Berries and blueberry leaves are used to treat myopia, retinal detachment, conjunctivitis, cataracts, to improve visual acuity of old age diseases, and diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. The astringent properties of blueberries are indispensable for indigestion, diarrhea, colitis, dysentery, dyspepsia, enterocolitis, fermentation processes in the intestines.

Blueberries help with flatulence and heartburn, have a tonic and gastroprotective effect, normalize the activity of the digestive system, and eliminate bloating. With pancreatitis and gastroenteritis, blueberries stop diarrhea and vomiting, relieve intestinal spasms, and normalize stools.

Blueberries have a cardiostimulating, diuretic, choleretic, anti-putrefaction, sugar-lowering, tonic, expectorant, cleansing, tonic effect. Decoctions and fresh berries can be used for mild diabetes and cystitis.

The antioxidants contained in blueberries help the body counteract oxidative processes, neutralize free radicals, slowing down the aging process, and are a good prophylactic against diseases such as atherosclerosis, cancer, ischemia, heart attack, and stroke.

In addition, antioxidants activate regeneration, activate the activity of the cerebral cortex, increase its efficiency, increase blood circulation, strengthen blood vessels, purify the blood, and normalize blood circulation.

Blueberries saturate tissues and cells with vitamins and nutritional phytonutrients, which are so necessary for the immune system.

Decoctions from the leaves and fruits of blueberries can be used both internally and externally for rinsing the mouth with gum disease, stomatitis, as well as for washing purulent wounds and abscesses, skin ulcers.

Blueberries - for children

Blueberries can be given to small children from 7 months, but not whole, but mashed, and only if the child does not suffer from constipation. Compotes, jelly, decoctions, or mashed berries are cooked from blueberries for a child along with fruit, berry, or vegetable purees.

A baby over 1 year old can be given 1 glass of berries per day, gradually increasing the dose. However, you should not get too carried away with blueberries - they increase the acidity of the stomach and can cause gastritis and more serious problems with the digestive system. In addition, acidic foods in large quantities are harmful to the liver.

With the introduction of top dressing, it is necessary to observe how the child will react to blueberries - whether he will develop an allergy and the troubles associated with it. Therefore, blueberries should be given to a child, starting with small portions, like any other new product.

Bilberry forte bioadditive was made from blueberries, which contains substances found in fresh berries. The additive is intended for children from three years old, but it is especially useful for schoolchildren who have prolonged eye strain. Blueberries increase visual acuity, reduce eye fatigue, help to adapt vision faster when lighting changes, relieve inflammation, and have a general strengthening effect. Thus, blueberries are simply indispensable for schoolchildren and students.

On sale there are also packaged drinks and teas made on the basis of blueberries, they can be drunk by both children and adults to strengthen vision and as a prophylactic anti-cold remedy in the autumn-winter period.

Recipes

There are a lot of recipes based on blueberry fruits and leaves; making drinks at home is very simple.

Recipe 1.

A decoction of blueberries. 1 tbsp blueberries and 1 tsp. pour green tea leaves into a thermos and pour boiling water over it. Let it brew a little, drink like tea with sugar or honey. The drink has antioxidant properties, improves immunity, removes radionuclides, salts of heavy metals, toxins from the body.

Recipe 2.

Cold blueberry infusion. 10 grams of dried berries pour 200 ml of clean cold water in the evening. In the morning, start drinking in small sips, drink in 5-6 doses for 1 day. The infusion is useful for colitis and gastritis.

Recipe 3.

A decoction of blueberry leaves for diabetes. 1 tbsp dry crushed leaves pour 200 ml of boiling water, cover, heat in a water bath for 20-30 minutes, leave for 15 minutes, strain. Drink 50 ml three times a day 2 hours after meals. A decoction of the leaves can also be used to strengthen the immune system, treat migraines, rheumatism, and kidney diseases. The decoction is drunk with uterine bleeding, leukemia, pain in the stomach.

Recipe 4.

Infusion of leaves for rinsing the mouth and throat with sore throat, stomatitis, as well as for washing wounds and skin. 1 tbsp dry leaves are poured with 200 ml of boiling water, wrapped, infused for 30 minutes, filtered and used as directed.

Recipe 5.

A decoction of blueberries for diseases of the digestive tract, diarrhea. 50 grams of blueberries need to pour 300 ml of hot water, cook over low heat for 20-30 minutes, remove from heat. When the broth is infused, it is not necessary to filter it. You can drink 3 times a day, 100 ml.

Recipe 6.

A decoction of blueberries. 1 tbsp dry berries pour 400 ml of boiling water, heat in a water bath until the liquid has evaporated by half. Then cool, divide into 4 parts, drink during the day before meals.

Recipe 7.

A decoction of blueberries from hemorrhoids. A decoction must be made from 60 grams of blueberry leaves and 1 liter of water. The raw material is poured with water, brought to a boil, boiled for 5-10 minutes, allowed to brew and cool, filtered. The liquid is used for enemas for hemorrhoidal bleeding.

Recipe 8.

Blueberry gruel for burns, lichen, eczema. Blueberries are poured with boiling water, brought to a boil, removed from heat. When they cool down to a comfortable temperature, knead to a mushy state, make compresses on sore spots.

Recipe 9.

Scurvy, ringworm, sore throat and hives can be treated with raw blueberry leaf juice mixed with a little warm water.

Recipe 10.

Infusion of berries under reduced pressure. 3 tbsp put berries in a thermos, pour 500 ml of boiling water, insist. Drink throughout the day like regular tea.

Recipe 11.

Vitamin remedy - blueberries with sugar. Blueberries and sugar are taken in equal proportions and ground together. The mixture is put into sterilized jars and stored in a cold place. For a general strengthening of the body, it is enough to eat 2 tbsp. mixture per day.

Recipe 12.

Blueberry tincture on water. To prepare it, take 1 kg of berries, 1 kg of sugar, 1.% of a liter of water, 1 tsp. ground ginger, 1 tsp dry yeast, 1 sprig of rosemary. First, pour blueberries with boiling water and leave for 4 days, then add sugar and yeast, pour into a large bowl and leave to ferment for 3 weeks.

After that, the cake must be separated from the liquid, add rosemary and ginger to the tincture, put in a cold place for another 4 months.

The resulting tincture can be used both as a medicine and as a tasty and beautiful drink for feasts.

Recipe 13.

Blueberry tincture for alcohol. 350 grams of berries are poured into a two-liter jar and poured with alcohol down the throat, leaving only 2-3 cm to the edge of the jar. The tincture is placed in a dark place with a temperature within 20 degrees and left for 3 weeks. The contents of the jar should be shaken every day.

Then the drink is filtered through a cotton-gauze filter and poured into another bowl. The tincture can be used as a medicinal or appetizing remedy.

Recipe 14.

A decoction with blueberry leaves for dysentery. First you need to make a mixture of blueberry leaves and berries, cinquefoil roots and chamomile flowers in approximately equal proportions. Then we take 1 tbsp. mixture, pour 200 ml of cold water, put on fire, bring to a boil and cook for 5 minutes. When the mixture has cooled, it is filtered and drunk in small sips throughout the day.

Recipe 15.

Another recipe for diarrhea and indigestion. Make a mixture of blueberries, chamomile flowers, Icelandic moss, cinquefoil roots in equal amounts. 1 tbsp the mixture must be poured with a glass of hot water, insisted, filtered, drunk in the same way as in the previous recipe.

Recipe 16.

Such a remedy will help from worms - take 50 grams of dried blueberries, tansy flowers, high elecampane root, make a mixture in a coffee grinder. Eat 1 tsp. powder in the morning on an empty stomach, and then before lunch and dinner.

Contraindications

The benefits and harms of blueberries are not equivalent, however, this berry should also be consumed with caution and in moderation.

Blueberries are astringent and can cause constipation if consumed in excess. Blueberries are contraindicated in oxalothuria (excretion of oxalate salts along with urine)

In chronic pancreatitis, blueberries should be eaten in small portions. Blueberries are contraindicated in urolithiasis, ulcers in the gastrointestinal tract, gastritis with high acidity. In addition, individual intolerance to blueberries and allergies can also become a contraindication.