Blueberry is a plant of the lingonberry family, which has fruits with a pleasant taste and smell. From the berry you can cook jam, jam and eat fresh. What are the beneficial properties of blueberries, as well as what a plant is valued for, you will learn from this material.
Structure
The berry has an extensive list of minerals and nutrients that have beneficial effects on the body. Its composition includes:
- vitamins A, B, PP, K and E;
- tannins;
- alimentary fiber;
- pectins;
- flavonoids;
- phenols, sugars and plant pigments;
- pectin;
- minerals (iron, phosphorus, magnesium, sodium, potassium).
Blueberries - low-calorie berry, nutritional value is 57 kcal. Therefore, it is recommended to add it to the diet menu.
Useful properties of berries and blueberry juice
Due to its rich composition, the use of culture has a positive effect on almost all body systems. Beneficial features:
- It has choleretic and diuretic qualities, which helps to reduce weight and normalize the work of all organs.
- The antioxidants contained in the fruits prevent the aging of the body and improve the activity of the heart and blood vessels.
- Prevents the formation of tumors.
- Due to the content of vitamin C, fruits are used for the prevention of scurvy.
- Regular consumption of blueberries improves vision. Fruits relax eye muscles and help fight glaucoma.
- Cleanses the body of toxins and stabilizes metabolism.
- Improves the digestive system. Intestinal motility is getting better.
- Fruits slow down the aging of nerve cells, improve mental abilities and memory.
- Lowers blood pressure.
- Eating fruits leads to a decrease in blood glucose.
- Increases appetite, promotes the release of a sufficient amount of gastric juice.
- Raises the tone of the body and relieves nervous tension.
- Increases the body's defenses and improves its resistance to viruses and bacteria.
- If diarrhea or liver disease occurs, it is useful to drink 1/2 cup of juice 3 times a day.
- Fresh blueberries remove salts of heavy metals from the body and neutralize the effects of radiation. This berry ability can be used by workers in hazardous industries.
Thanks to the healing properties of blueberries, its juice also has positive qualities. Doctors recommend consuming it 1-2 times a week. The drink contains a large amount of vitamins and minerals. Due to this, the juice has anti-inflammatory properties and reduces the manifestation of fever.
However, it does not have any restrictions, so the drink is widely used in diet food. The healing qualities of the culture are used not only for therapeutic purposes, but also for the prevention of many diseases.
Add fruit to the baby menu
Useful properties of blueberries for children are manifested in saturating the growing body with all the necessary minerals and vitamins.
Due to the absence of allergens, it can be given to infants up to a year. Initially, the berry is included in the menu in the form of mashed potatoes. It is added to cereal or mixed with other fruits. Reception begins with 1 teaspoon, gradually the amount increases. Serving size must be agreed with the pediatrician.
It is forbidden to consume berries in large quantities so as not to cause nausea, vomiting or dizziness.
Blueberries during pregnancy
During the bearing of the fruit, adding women to the menu is recommended for all women. Due to its beneficial properties, blueberries during pregnancy have the most positive effect. This is due to the content in the berry of vitamins, B, P, PP and folic acid, which is sometimes called the "female hormone". This substance forms new cells and prevents the development of pathologies in the fetus.
In addition, the fruits have such a beneficial effect:
- The content of vitamin C in blueberries stops the development of colds, which adversely affect the body of the fetus and expectant mother.
- Reduces blood sugar, which is especially necessary for women who suffer from diabetes.
- The iron contained in the berry is able to maintain normal hemoglobin levels. Routine does not allow to increase blood pressure and gives elasticity to capillaries.
- The berry has a positive effect on vision. Due to the complex of minerals, blueberries have anti-inflammatory and choleretic properties.
But the berry should not be abused during this period, in order to avoid the occurrence of allergic reactions and intoxication in the child. It is enough for a woman during pregnancy to eat no more than 80-100 g per day. This norm is enough to satisfy the needs of the body.
The beneficial properties of blueberries during pregnancy and lactation are manifested in the saturation with vitamins and minerals of both the child and the mother. Too much berry is not recommended due to allergies.
The benefits of blueberry leaves
The healing properties are not only fruits. The leaves of the plant are often used for the preparation of medicinal decoctions and infusions. Traditional medicine has many recipes that are capable of:
- normalize the digestive process;
- cleanse the body and have a disinfectant effect;
- eliminate sleep disturbances and disorders of the nervous system;
- lower blood glucose and cholesterol;
- beneficial effect on the heart and blood vessels;
- reduce excessive appetite and prevent overeating;
- strengthen the human immune system, provide a preventive effect for colds and infectious diseases.
From the leaves of blueberries prepare a decoction, infusion or tincture. Drinks can be drunk without restrictions if there are no contraindications.
To prepare a therapeutic drink, you need the following:
- On a glass of boiling water, take the dried leaves of the plant (50 g) in a crushed state.
- Brew for 2-3 hours.
- Strain and drink the broth on a tablespoon 5-6 times a day before eating.
The course of treatment with blueberry broth should be no more than 1 month, then a break is made and the procedure is repeated if necessary.
A decoction of blueberry leaves is a prophylactic for many diseases: diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, heart and blood vessels. To normalize blood pressure, you can drink it with fresh berries. The daily norm of berries is 100-150 g.
Winter blanks
They have useful properties of blueberries and jam. In this form, its healing qualities persist for a long time.
To prepare the jam, grind the berries with a blender until smooth. Add sugar. Lay out in containers and store in the refrigerator.
This composition retains all the healing properties of blueberries.
There is a method of making jam when the fruits are cooked. To do this, the following ingredients are required:
- Blueberries - 1 kg.
- Sugar - 1 kg.
- Water - 100 ml.
Sort and wash the fruits thoroughly. From sugar and water, boil the syrup and boil for several minutes. Then put the berries in it, boil for 10 minutes and arrange in sterile jars.
Jam can be used as a prevention of colds and infectious diseases, with diseases of the stomach and bladder.
Dietary use
With medicinal properties, blueberries are used for weight loss. It can be attributed to dietary products. The polyphenols contained in the berry contribute to the breakdown of body fat. Blueberries burn extra pounds and prevent the formation of new ones.
For benefits, fruits must be consumed in limited quantities. The daily rate of berry consumption is 100-200 g. To achieve the result, you must play sports.
Together with the berry, you can drink tea from blueberry leaves, drink fruit drinks. It is good to drink fresh fruits with milk, which allows a beneficial effect on intestinal motility.
Fruits in cosmetology
Thanks to its beneficial properties, blueberries can be used not only for healing the body. The fact that this plant has a beneficial effect on the skin condition has been known since ancient times. Therefore, the culture is used to prepare face care products.
Useful properties of blueberries for women are manifested in recipes based on the addition of berries. Masks will preserve the beauty of the face and prolong the youth of the skin. Flavonoids protect it from ultraviolet radiation. They are able to cleanse and whiten the skin of the face.
To prepare the mask, squeeze the juice from the berries. Combine in equal proportions with sour cream and cottage cheese. Apply a lot to the face. Soak for 20 minutes, rinse with warm water. Such a mask will allow the skin to return a radiant appearance and relieve fine wrinkles. But in order to achieve maximum effect, it is recommended to use the product at least once a week.
What varieties of plants exist
A berry that grows in nature has the name Common Blueberry or Swamp Blueberry. It is from such bushes that crops are harvested in forests and swamps.
The first garden varieties were delivered from America. The bush of blueberries was tall and in height was up to 2-3 m. Currently, there are many varieties of berries that are cultivated in summer cottages.
Especially popular is garden blueberry, whose properties are constantly used for medicinal purposes. But they also grow it for cooking. In the northern regions, a bush is spread, called the "Canadian blueberry". This plant is frost-resistant and has unpretentiousness and juicy fruits.
For planting, plants choose a well-lit place with loose soil. She loves acidic soils, and on neutral and alkaline soils, blueberries grow poorly and do not breed. It needs to be planted with a large lump of earth, with bare roots, the plant dies.
Storage rules
Blueberries are tender. And in order not to lose all its medicinal properties, it is necessary to choose the right storage method.
Fruits should be frozen. This blueberry retains all its healing properties and can be used for the preparation of compotes, fruit drinks and kissels. Most often it is used as a filling for pies.
In some cases, blueberries are dried. It can be stored in glassware in a dark room. Dried fruits, like ice cream, fully retain their healing properties and can be used to treat various diseases.
Fresh blueberries can be stored in the refrigerator. To do this, select a container with a tight lid. Store at 0-5 degrees for 2 weeks.
With any method of storage, blueberries are best preserved fresh.
Harm to culture
Despite the various medicinal properties of blueberries, the plant also has contraindications. As a rule, negative effects can occur with severe overeating of the fruit. The berry is rich in many nutrients that, when ingested in large quantities, harm the body.
Symptoms of poisoning may include:
- nausea;
- vomiting
- general weakness;
- headache.
With the use of berries by women during pregnancy and lactation, extreme care must be taken. After all, this can negatively affect the child when harmful substances enter his body along with mother's milk.
It is not recommended to use the berry for diseases of the biliary tract and individual intolerance.
It is forbidden to add fruit to your menu for patients taking blood thinners.
Blueberries are a unique berry that is very popular. Due to its composition and many useful qualities, it can be used not only in medicine, but also in cooking and cosmetology. The medicinal qualities of blueberries are used for therapeutic and prophylactic purposes.