Blueberries: Properties, Benefits, and Contraindications

Help the brain to function (it affects memory in particular), thanks to the improved blood flow in its area. Especially in old age. It eliminates the bacteria that cause cystitis and helps the bladder function properly. Protects the eyes and lowers blood sugar levels. The blueberry (like the red and blue ones) is a small fruit but with a concentration of quality and benefits for our health which are really difficult to find in nature.

Index of topics

Features

Il Blackberry It is the fruit of plants native to the Mediterranean region (where the most prized species, the wild one, is concentrated) and also to America (where the American blueberry is grown). In Italy, the blueberry season begins around mid-June and continues until almost the end of September. However, the fruit is also available during the other months of the year, as it is grown in greenhouses.

Nutritional values

Every 100 grams of blueberries contains 25 calories and 87 grams of water. And also:

0,9 grams of protein
11,9 grams of carbohydrates
5,1 grams of soluble sugars
3,1 grams fiber
2 milligrams of lipids
160 milligrams of Potassium
41 milligrams of Calcium
31 milligrams of Phosphorus
2 milligrams of sodium

In the blueberry there are also Vitamin A, B, C and K, as well as myrtillin, a pigment with extraordinary antioxidant qualities, which alone concentrates many of the qualities of this small fruit.

Benefits

First of all, blueberries, thanks to their acid content, are a perfect antioxidant. They can therefore be used as a natural remedy to prevent all cardiovascular diseases and minimize the risk of stroke. Secondly, blueberries inhibit the adhesion of coliform bacteria to the gallbladder.intestine and the bladder. Therefore, it is a natural protector of these delicate organs and is useful for treating dysentery. It is also unbeatable as a vessel protector for venous insufficiency and capillary fragility: a magical remedy for women with varicose veins or poor blood circulation. Furthermore, blueberry is an excellent protector, for men, of the functionality of the bladder. prostate, and in this sense it should be considered a preventive tool against prostate cancer. It is recommended to use it every morning during the months of August and September, mixing the berries into yogurt for breakfast or as an afternoon snack.

What are the benefits of eating blueberries?

A very comprehensive study found that consuming 350 grams of fresh blueberries a day reduced blood pressure and bad cholesterol by 20-25 percent in just eight weeks. This means that blueberries can be considered a natural pill for preventing cardiovascular problems. cardiovascular. But blueberries also have flavonoids that help reduce the risk of cancer and are valuable for detoxifying the liverIn summer, their juice helps refresh us, hydrate us, and fill us up with antioxidants.

Blueberries and eyes

Finally, The ability of blueberries to promote and increase the speed of regeneration of retinal purple should not be underestimated, thus improving vision, especially in the evening when there is little light.. In practice, to put it clearly and simply, eating blueberries helps you see better, especially in the evening, and helps fight myopiaThe British RAF pilots knew this well, having eaten hearty breakfasts of blueberry jam to improve their night vision during air raids.

Cranberry

A group of researchers from McGill University in Montreal and the INRS-Institut Armaud-Frappier in Laval administered cranberry extract to fruit flies, the species most commonly used to study human infections. The results were surprising: the sample that consumed the juice experienced longer lifespans and lower levels of infections. But there are also other important benefits to cranberry consumption. They produce cholesterol Good. Cranberry berries contain tannins that produce two important results. On the one hand, they have an antibacterial effect; on the other, they block the oxidation of HDL cholesterol, the good kind. Some doctors recommend starting the day with cranberry juice. They strengthen the eyes. This benefit is linked to other substances found in cranberries: vitamins A and C, myrtillin, an excellent vasoprotector, and manganese, phosphorus, and calcium. The result is that cranberries strengthen capillaries and help fight eye fatigue.

They prevent urinary tract infections. Cranberries are valuable allies against any urinary tract infection. Some of their substances, including tannins, malic acid, fructose, and oligosaccharides, protect the urethra and bladder from bacterial growth, thus preventing cystitis. They protect teeth. Researchers at the University of Rochester observed that some substances in cranberries can inhibit the enzymes bacteria need to produce plaque molecules. Another remarkable result: with cranberries, the risk of caries It reduces blood sugar by 45 percent. And they can also be used to treat gingivitis. Low calories. Another quality of cranberries is their low calorie count: 46 per 100 grams.

How many blueberries can we consume?

The ideal serving of blueberries is 200-250 grams per day. Dried blueberries are water-free and contain more calories than fresh blueberries, but especially in summer, because they are rich in minerals, they become a natural supplement, very useful for cramps. Again, there is a limit: no more than 30 grams per day. The ideal time to eat blueberries is in the morning during breakfast.

Recipes with blueberries

In the past, blueberries were also used to dye fabrics. But now they're used exclusively in cooking, starting with these recipes on our website.

Blueberry syrupIdeal for garnishing desserts and ice cream.
Blueberry CheesecakeVery tasty, it also allows you to recover crumbled biscuits.
Yogurt ice cream with blueberries. Very popular with children.
Vegetable milk with blueberries and datesA very thirst-quenching drink, ideal when it's very hot.

Controindicazioni

The only, but important, contraindications of blueberries concern people taking anticoagulant, antiplatelet, or antidiabetic drugs: in these cases, it's always best to consult your doctor. And listen to him. Furthermore, blueberries contain oxalates that can promote the formation of kidney stones.

Blueberries: properties, uses, and contraindications