What parts of blueberries are used in medicine? Blueberries - beneficial properties and contraindications. Properties of dried blueberries

Blueberries are an inconspicuous berry that grows mainly in forests and swamps, on tall bushes. This plant itself is resistant to temperature changes, so it feels quite normal in both heat and cold.

Blueberries have long been considered unique. And also the health benefits and harms of blueberries. Therefore, it is used almost everywhere - not only for food, but also in cosmetology and the treatment of many diseases. Many people are interested in its effect on the body before they start eating.

Main known characteristics of the berry

Blueberries cannot boast of significant size. For example, in the middle zone the height of a bush can reach half a meter, and the further north it goes, the lower it becomes. But at the same time, the very modest size is perfectly compensated by the elongated creeping root system, which helps the formation of many young trunks.

The leaves are light green in color and have a pointed shape and a long groove, through which rainwater flows directly to the roots. Towards the end of autumn, the leaves change their color from green to brown and soon fly off.

In the last month of spring, flowers with rounded petals and a very weak aroma, which, nevertheless, can attract insects for pollination, bloom on the bush.

A hint of the first berries appears at the beginning of summer, and they ripen by the beginning of August. Blueberries may appear blue at first, but this is due to the layer of wax on them. If blueberries are washed thoroughly, they take on their true coal-black appearance.

Forest birds simply love blueberries. And if you consider that the seeds of these berries are not digested by their stomachs, then birds are able to carry them over very long distances. By the way, propagation of this berry is possible both by vegetative and seed methods.

For this reason, many owners of their own plots grow blueberries at home. If you prefer to collect it in the forest, then you need to look for it near pine trees or swamps.

Composition of blueberries and their caloric content

Since ancient times, people began to call blueberries a rejuvenating berry. And the benefits of blueberries for the human body are truly undeniable, because the berries contain many antioxidants that help the body fight not only malignant tumors, but also various age-related changes.

The following substances are available in abundance:

• Iron;
• Potassium;
• Calcium;
• Cobalt;
• Magnesium;
• Manganese;
• Copper;
• Nickel;
• Phosphorus.

All of them have the most positive overall effect on the activity of all systems in the human body.

Among other things, biologists were able to find out that blueberries are rich in organic acids. It also contains almost all existing vitamin groups and substances that can gently and efficiently cleanse the body of everything harmful.

Speaking of vitamins, in particular there are a huge amount of vitamins B1, B2, E, as well as ascorbic and nicotinic acids.

It is the bioactive compounds contained in this berry that give it healing qualities. So, for example, the benefits of blueberries for the human body are expressed in tannins, the action of which is aimed at maintaining stable heart function.

The black color of this berry is given by anthocyanins. In addition to them, blueberries contain antioxidants such as prontoanthocyanide, tannin And flavonoid. They protect body tissues from damage and the harmful effects of harmful substances.
The pulp of this berry, as already mentioned, is rich in organic acids.

Among them:

• Lemon;
• Dairy;
• Cinchona;
• Sorrel;
• Apple;
• Amber.

Among other things, it also contains proteins necessary for the body, fiber pectin and, of course, carbohydrates.

To all of the above it is worth adding carotenoids, which have a positive effect on human vision, as well as glycosides, di- and polysaccharides, and essential oils.

In conclusion, it is worth mentioning that the calorie content of this berry is only 43 kilocalories per hundred grams of blueberries.

Why are blueberries so beneficial?

The balance of the vitamin composition of the berry will become almost a panacea for the immune system. At the same time, you don’t have to worry about the fact that an allergic reaction may occur completely by accident.

Another benefit of blueberries is that they are hypoallergenic. That is why both children and adults can eat it without any fear.

If a person suffers from mild diabetes, blueberries can be used as the main medicine to cure this disease. And all thanks to inulin - an organic analogue of insulin, which is part of the berries.

Tannins stabilize the digestive system and relieve diarrhea easily and quickly.

Dried blueberries

Anti-inflammatory and antiseptic qualities make it possible to use blueberries to treat various colds, as well as get rid of problems in the oral cavity. For example, a decoction of dried berries completely destroys microbes that cause sore throat and even typhoid.

Flavonoids, which have already been discussed, dilate and strengthen blood vessels, improve blood circulation throughout the body, and reduce the risk of plaques and blood clots.

Lack of iron is known to lead to blood diseases. Blueberries will successfully replenish iron deficiency in the blood, and at the same time prevent the development of anemia.

Blueberries are often prescribed to those who suffer from kidney or gallstones. A decoction made from fresh or dried berries will help quickly remove stones and sand from the body. The effect of the healing drink will be enhanced if you add leaves from a blueberry bush to the decoction.

Blueberries rank first among all foods that can improve or maintain vision at a sufficient level. Regular consumption of blueberries will help reduce the risk of cataracts, strengthen the eye muscles and moisturize the mucous membrane, and improve metabolic processes.

What diseases do blueberries prevent?

The benefit of blueberries is that it prevents the occurrence and development of atherosclerosis and bleeding of varying severity in the intestines. In addition, the berry maintains normal blood pressure and does not allow salts to be deposited in the joints of the limbs.

Blueberries absorb and then remove toxins and other harmful substances from the body, including old waste. This is also why blueberries help relieve chronic constipation and completely stabilize the functioning of the digestive tract.

The fruits from the blueberry bush are used, among other things, to make medicines to treat diseases caused by radiation exposure. Blueberries can cleanse the human body of the effects of radiation and even prevent cancer.

Fresh berries can treat a wide variety of skin problems. For example, psoriasis or eczema. And this is done, by the way, very simply. You just need to puree a small amount of berries and apply it to the inflamed skin for one hour.

These fruits are very useful for those people who suffer from severe pulmonary diseases. Such as bronchitis, pneumonia or even tuberculosis. A decoction of fresh berries will help in the fight against them. Pour a handful of blueberries into a glass of hot water and let it sit for a couple of hours. You should drink this decoction approximately 3.5 tablespoons four times a day.

Blueberries are a special antibiotic that perfectly tidies up the gastrointestinal tract and the entire digestive system as a whole if there are problems of any kind with it. From the destruction of microbes to the restoration of microflora.

Blueberries will provide all possible help for rheumatism, and will also be an excellent additive specifically for pharmaceutical drugs that were prescribed to patients suffering from liver or gall bladder diseases.

The main list of internal organs that blueberries can help includes the genitourinary system. In addition to the effect on the kidneys and urine, blueberries help women normalize their menstrual cycle.

Constant consumption of blueberries takes immunity to a new level, reduces to zero the risk of the occurrence and development of vascular and heart diseases, and removes all accumulated harmful substances from the body. Thanks to all this, the body rejuvenates not only externally, but also from the inside.

Additionally, nutritionists advise eating this berry for those who suffer from any form of obesity or simply want to lose a little extra weight.

How much damage can blueberries cause to the body?

It is prohibited to collect blueberries in areas with unfavorable environmental conditions. Otherwise, all the toxic substances that have accumulated in the berries will be completely transferred to the body.

Blueberries may be harmful to people who suffer from pancreatic dysfunction, oxalaturia, or urinary stones.

It can be difficult for children's stomachs to cope with this berry. Therefore, it is important to consult your doctor before giving blueberries to your child.

Overconsumption of berries can even cause constipation. The same applies to a decoction of berries, leaves and twigs of blueberries.

Personal intolerance to this berry is also a warning, but in reality it occurs extremely rarely.

However, the list of dangers of blueberries pales against the background of all the positive properties that blueberries can convey to the human body.

The vitamin composition and caloric content allow blueberries to be used in a variety of areas of human life. But blueberries are most often prescribed to pregnant women or women in labor, men with reproductive disorders, and children with diarrhea.

Blueberries: benefits for men

The benefit of blueberries for men lies mainly in their effect on the genitourinary system. Blueberries improve sperm quality due to their overall effect on testicular activity.

The fruits of this shrub are useful for eating by men who have been unable to conceive a baby for a long time.

In particular, blueberries help normalize sexual activity, increase potency and restore reproductive function.

Scientists have been conducting the most thorough research on this berry for many years, and thanks to them, it has been proven, among other things, that flavones provide all possible assistance in maintaining male strength.

The valuable qualities of this small but very useful berry make it possible to use it to cure diseases associated, among other things, with the prostate.

Blueberries: benefits for women

Since ancient times, women have used berries from blueberry bushes for their own rejuvenation.

After all, blueberries have a whole complex of vitamins that can keep the skin elastic and with the proper level of moisture. Blueberries promote the active production of collagen and elastin, which prevents the formation of wrinkles.

The antioxidants contained in the berry prevent tissues from aging ahead of time, and also promote tissue restoration and improve blood circulation. All this has the most positive effect on women's appearance and health.

Doctors recommend consuming blueberries for women during their periods. In this case, the benefit of blueberries for women is that it eliminates muscle spasms that often plague girls and women at this time. It also relieves all other menstrual syndromes.

It is highly advisable for women who have already entered menopause to eat berries in order to significantly reduce the number of so-called hot flashes.

These berries will be useful for improving hair condition. It is useful to make various nourishing masks from them. But you can do without them - just eating blueberries regularly for about four to five weeks is enough. Dandruff, if there was any, will go away, and your hair will acquire a healthy shine and become noticeably thicker.

As you know, women are much more likely than men to encounter problems with varicose veins. Blueberries will help cope with it too.

What benefits will blueberries bring during pregnancy?

Expectant mothers vitally need a whole complex of minerals and vitamins, which must be supplied to the body with food. This can be easily explained by the fact that a woman now has to be responsible not only for herself, but also for the body of her unborn baby.

Blueberry in this case is an excellent helper. It helps maintain hemoglobin at the proper level, participates in the formation of the child’s skeleton and central nervous system, and also does not allow the blood pressure of the expectant mother to increase.

Rinsing your mouth with fresh blueberry juice is an excellent preventive measure for dental problems. But this is what many pregnant women most often encounter.

Pregnancy and childbirth take a lot of strength from the female body. But if you eat blueberries regularly, you will not encounter problems such as hair loss, peeling nails and skin problems after childbirth.

It's no secret that pregnancy threatens edema. A decoction of dried blueberries will eliminate this problem.

Why blueberries are good for kids

Children's doctors recommend regularly giving children fresh blueberries. Especially during the seasons when viral colds spread. They will not only be able to protect the child from the disease, but also make his immunity even stronger. This is both a treatment and a prevention of colds.

Blueberries are rich in calcium, which directly affects the child’s skeleton. If you periodically eat blueberries during the ripening season, the bones will become stronger and the baby will grow faster.

The benefits and harms of blueberries for children's health are as follows. In addition to the already mentioned advantages, blueberries can also be useful in that they can cure childhood diarrhea, solve all problems with the child’s digestive system, strengthen his central nervous system, improve sleep and brain activity.

But at the same time, you should only give your baby berries from the age of one and a half years, when the child’s stomach is already able to digest these fruits. And then it’s worth introducing the baby to blueberries in the form of a puree from a small handful of berries.

As you get older, you can increase the portions. If you give blueberries earlier, there is a risk that the ventricle may simply not cope. Cause colic and other harmless but unpleasant consequences.

Benefits of blueberry leaves and branches

Blueberries - not only their berries, but the entire bush as a whole - have been in demand in folk medicine for a long time. For example, experienced healers use all this to treat the gastrointestinal tract.

The benefits of blueberries really also lie in their twigs and leaves:

• Antioxidants restore tissues and cleanse internal organs. Prevent the occurrence and development of cancer;
• A drink from the leaves will help calm the central nervous system, overcome insomnia, and remove nightmares, if any;
• Regular consumption of the decoction will improve the condition of the liver and remove stones from the kidneys and pancreas;
• This same decoction is good for reducing fever. If you combine it with eating their fresh berries, the disease will go away faster.

How else can you use blueberries?

Of course, it is best to eat these berries. Freshly picked from the bush and washed thoroughly. But that is not all. The taste of blueberries is simply adored by lovers of baking and canning.

This berry produces simply mind-blowing jams, compotes and all sorts of fillings for pies and buns. And especially in combination with any other berries and fruits.

Blueberries are also added to some wines or liqueurs to give them a beautiful hue and an incomparable aroma and taste.

But blueberries are popular not only in the food industry. Hundreds of years ago, people learned to use the bark of this bush for tanning leather. Amazingly, already in those days it became known how to make a decoction with which one could dye leather and even yarn brown or yellow.

And the cake - squeezed berries - was used to dye silk and any other fabric. The paint changed its color to the desired one depending on the number of components in the recipe.

Folk healers considered fresh blueberries the best remedy for treating diseases affecting the eyes, kidneys and some other internal organs.

Decoctions and teas help solve stomach problems, and blueberry compresses are excellent for treating burns and ulcers.

With the onset of mid-autumn, fresh blueberries are replaced with dried ones. And then tinctures are prepared from it, which save patients from diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, as well as problems with teeth and blood.

The most common recipe is as follows:

Pour a couple of tablespoons of dried berries into two glasses of hot water. Let it brew for two hours and then strain.
This is the basis. But depending on the disease, minor changes may be made to the recipe.

Blueberry decoction, in addition, eliminates hemorrhoids, helps with gynecological problems, as well as diabetes. Leaves from the bush need to be poured with hot water, left to steep, strain and cool. And then, depending on the nature of the disease, use it as a drink, douching or enema.

Many cosmetologists often recommend using ground fresh berries to make masks or skin wraps. Thanks to the beneficial effects of berries, after just a few such procedures, the skin becomes more elastic and smooth, and its tone is completely evened out.

Are blueberries the basis of declared pharmaceutical medicines?

Currently, many companies produce dietary supplements that contain blueberries. They are usually prescribed to assist with the main treatment for eye diseases. But is this true in reality?

Specialists from an expert center called “Test” tested the most popular dietary supplements for vision. Among them were:

Natural Factors superpower
Visit;
Okovit;
Eyebright;
Strix;
Blueberry forte.

Almost all dietary supplements on the list did not contain even the slightest hint of blueberry content. Only the first and penultimate positions from the list were able to withstand the test. But here, apparently, the point is that one drug was manufactured in Canada, and the other in Denmark.

So, for example, one Natural Factors capsule contains 12.5 milligrams of blueberry plant glycosides. Thus, by taking four capsules per day, you can be completely sure that you have received the required dose of vitamins.

From this we can conclude that it would be best to opt for fresh, dried or frozen berries, collected in the forest, on your own plot, or purchased in a store.

Where to buy and how to store blueberries

Like all other products, blueberries are strictly prohibited from being purchased curbside. No one will say where exactly these berries were collected. It would be best to get to the nearest store and buy blueberries there if you do not have your own plot.

Before purchasing, be sure to make sure that there are no dents or white spots on the berries. The latter may be a signal that the berries are not yet ripe. A uniform black color and a light waxy coating, on the contrary, will help you verify the quality of the berries.

Blueberries must be stored in the refrigerator. It will stay fresh for no more than a month. If you want to keep it longer, then freeze or dry it.

Before drying blueberries, you need to thoroughly sort them out, place them in a weak vinegar solution for just a few seconds, and then rinse them with cold running water, dry them and place them in a non-metallic container with special holes for ventilation. Place a paper towel on the bottom of the dish.

Dried blueberries should be stored in a dry, dark place, in special paper or fabric bags, but not longer than a couple of years. After that, it will lose all its useful qualities.

It is more convenient and easiest to dry the berries in an electric dryer. This will be faster and the blueberries will dry evenly.

If you decide to freeze the berries, you also need to sort them well first, then lay them out in an even single layer on a tray and put them in the freezer for a maximum of three hours.

This is done so that the berries do not subsequently stick together and turn into blueberry porridge. When the time is up, the blueberries can be transferred to a bag or plastic container and returned to the freezer.

You should never deny yourself such a delicacy as blueberries. After all, it is not only tasty, but also extremely healthy. It is advisable, of course, to grow it yourself - only then can you be sure of its 100% quality. But if this is not possible, you also already know how to choose high-quality blueberries in the store.

Vitamins

Vitamins	Quantity	Norm
Vitamin A, RE	3 mcg	900 mcg
beta carotene	0.032 mg	5 mg
Vitamin B1	0.01 mg	1.5 mg
Vitamin B2	0.02 mg	1.8 mg
Vitamin B4	6 mg	500 mg

Beneficial properties of blueberries

Common blueberry is a low shrub of the lingonberry family. The berries are juicy, sweet and sour, black in color, the seeds are small. Blooms in May - June. Ripens in July-August. Blueberry berries and leaves are used.

The medicinal (healing) properties of blueberries have long been used in folk medicine. Blueberry berries and leaves help a person get rid of many diseases. Maybe that's why blueberries are one of the most favorite berries in Rus'. People call it “blueberry”, affectionately “blueberry” or “shrub”. Blueberries received popular love for their extraordinary taste and the invaluable benefits that they bring to our health.

Blueberries are nature’s generous gift to us, residents of northern latitudes. In southern countries, as well as in the southern hemisphere, it does not grow.

Blueberries are considered to be a “Russian” berry. And this is not surprising. Most of the world's blueberry reserves are located in Russia. This shrub is especially loved by the Russian North. Here, in the swampy area, blueberry thickets stretch for many kilometers. This is probably why we love this forest “healer” so much.

In Rus', blueberries have always been a favorite medicinal product of shamans and healers. They considered it a “miracle” berry. As one Siberian healer said: “Blueberry protects from all sorts of diseases, removes illness from the stomach, heals the liver and kidneys, makes the head clear, and cleanses the blood.” Couldn't have said it better.

Blueberries usually grow in coniferous-deciduous forests. Blueberries are widespread in the European part of Russia, Karelia, and Siberia. Prefers moist and even swampy soil. Blueberry fields usually occupy huge areas, reminiscent of plantations. Blueberries bloom in May-June. Ripens in July-August. Blueberry productivity varies every year. This depends on many factors. In “fruitful” years, it is possible to collect up to a ton of berries per hectare from good blueberry fields.

Blueberries are good honey plants. During blueberry flowering, bees bring up to 2 kg of honey per day to each hive. Blueberry honey is unique. It is very fragrant, transparent with a reddish tint.

Modern medicine mainly uses only one healing quality of blueberries. Its therapeutic effect on the retina of our eyes. In fact, blueberries are a universal medicinal plant. It’s not for nothing that shamans and healers idolize her. Blueberries contain a huge amount of active microelements that are useful for our body. Systematic consumption of blueberries significantly improves memory.

Blueberry composition

Blueberries contain essential organic acids. Such as citric acid, lactic acid, quinic acid, oxalic acid, malic and succinic acid. It is this unique acidic composition that largely determines its unique medicinal properties. In addition, blueberries contain many minerals that we need for normal functioning.

These are salts: iron, potassium, manganese, copper, sulfur, phosphorus, chromium and zinc. In terms of manganese content, blueberries have no equal among plants. In addition, blueberries contain: carotene (vitamin A), B vitamins, vitamins C and PP. Blueberries also contain tannins, alcohols and essential oils. The composition of blueberry leaves is no less useful and unique. Their use is also effective in the treatment of certain diseases. For example, diabetes.

Medicinal properties

A popular proverb says: “Where they eat blueberries and wild strawberries, doctors have nothing to do.” What is the secret of such a healing effect of these berries on the human body? The main and most important beneficial property of blueberries is its beneficial effect on our digestive system. Blueberries help normalize digestion. That is why it is used both for diarrhea and constipation. In addition, blueberry juice has a bactericidal effect. It has a detrimental effect on the causative agents of dysentery and typhoid fever.

The benefits of eating blueberries are invaluable for patients with diabetes. While there is such an opportunity (July-August), diabetics need to eat as many fresh blueberries as possible and drink a decoction of its leaves. The rest of the time, it is useful to brew dried leaves and berries. This reduces blood sugar and stimulates the pancreas. In combination with the use of Jerusalem artichoke, you can gradually give up insulin.

Due to the high content of antioxidants, eating blueberries reduces the risk of cardiovascular diseases. It is recommended to consume blueberries and blueberry jelly and fruit drinks as a prevention of thrombosis and myocardial infarction. Thanks to a special substance (anticoagulant) included in blueberries, blood clotting is reduced. Due to its bactericidal properties, blueberries are useful for inflammation of the genitourinary tract and kidneys. For urolithiasis, it is useful, in addition to eating blueberries, to drink a decoction of its leaves.

Blueberries promote the renewal of retinal cells and improve blood circulation. This is due to its beneficial effect on our vision. Eating blueberries is beneficial for anyone whose profession involves prolonged eye strain. According to recent studies, systematic consumption of blueberries helps keep the brain young and avoid Alzheimer's disease. It is useful to introduce blueberries into your diet for anyone whose activities involve a lot of mental stress. This has a beneficial effect on brain function and mental abilities. Northern peoples drink tea from a decoction of blueberry leaves and berries for colds, coughs and headaches. In-depth scientific research into the beneficial properties of blueberries has shown that blueberry berries and leaves restore many functions of our body and actively prevent aging.

Blueberries occupy a strong position in the ranking of products that are popular among adherents of a healthy lifestyle. This was largely facilitated by a recent study from Boston University, which revealed the ability of the berry to powerfully counteract aging and noticeably rejuvenate the body. Its use is no less popular in folk medicine, where they use not only berries, but also foliage and shoots of blueberries. To make sure of the healing properties and learn how to use the plant correctly, let’s take a closer look at the beneficial properties and contraindications of blueberries, collection rules and medical recipes for its use.

Blueberries: beneficial properties and contraindications

The composition of the berry contains a huge amount of substances necessary for normal human life.

The fruits also contain a lot of essential organic acids - citric, oxalic, malic, lactic, quinic. The leaves are also rich in composition, which, in addition to a set of vitamins and minerals, contain a unique substance arbutin, which is indispensable in the treatment of kidney diseases.

Blueberry fruits have the following healing properties:

1. They have a positive effect on visual acuity, especially night vision. Helps improve blood supply to the retina and relieve fatigue.
2. They prolong youth by combating symptoms of old age such as impaired motor coordination, decreased muscle strength and memory loss.
3. They alleviate the condition of rheumatism and gout.
4. Remove salts from the body.
5. Reduce the risk of the occurrence and development of tumors.
6. Helps in the fight against heart failure due to its high antioxidant activity. The anticoagulant present in the berries reduces blood clotting.
7. Normalizes blood pressure.
8. They have a beneficial effect on digestion, having a disinfecting effect on the stomach and suppressing putrefactive processes in the intestines. Normalize the stool.
9. Used in the treatment of diseases of the genitourinary system. Help solve problems with the bladder and kidneys.
10. Normalize the menstrual cycle and improve reproductive function. This is what blueberries are good for women in the first place.
11. Reduces blood sugar levels in diabetes.
12. Removes toxins from the body.
13. Due to its low calorie content, only 44 kcal per 100 g, it is widely used as part of weight loss diets.
14. Due to their rich vitamin and mineral composition and hypoallergenicity, the berries are recommended for pregnant women, and are also useful for nursing mothers in moderate doses. Eating blueberries while breastfeeding helps saturate the baby’s body with beneficial microelements and will help, if necessary, solve digestive problems in the mother or baby.
15. Used in cosmetology to moisturize the skin and relieve inflammation.

Blueberry leaves also have incredible benefits:

1. Used in the treatment of urolithiasis.
2. Effectively reduce blood sugar levels due to the content of neomertillin.
3. Helps with anemia.
4. They are used as decoctions in the treatment of hemorrhoids.
5. Fight rheumatism.
6. In the form of tea, it relieves inflammation in a sore throat and relieves cough.
7. Normalizes digestion during diarrhea.
8. They have bactericidal and wound-healing properties.

To effectively use the plant for medicinal purposes, you need to know both the beneficial properties and contraindications of blueberries.

Contraindications

The use of berries in nutrition and treatment is prohibited in the following cases:

• the presence of allergic reactions, including in an infant when consuming fruits while breastfeeding;
• oxalaturia, when oxalic acid salts are excreted in the urine;
• diseases of the pancreas, in particular with pancreatitis, the use of blueberries is strictly prohibited;
• frequent constipation.

The only contraindication to the use of leaves is individual intolerance to the components of their composition. In general, they are considered harmless, and can cause a negative reaction in the body only when using low-quality raw materials. It is also worth paying attention to the quality of the berries. The fact is that blueberries easily accumulate harmful substances from the environment.

Depending on where the berry was collected, it can bring both benefits and harm to health. Therefore, we will next consider where blueberries grow, how to properly collect and store them, and whether it is possible to distinguish low-quality berries when purchasing.

Rules for harvesting berries

Blueberry is a low shrub (about 50 cm) with dark blue berries. Grows throughout the European part of Russia. It prefers coniferous forests and swamps and is not afraid of harsh weather conditions, so it can be found in Siberia, the Urals and the Far Eastern region.

Blueberry picking

Blueberries are harvested during July and August.

For the winter, the harvest can be frozen or dried, both methods will preserve all the usefulness of the fruit. You can dry the berries outdoors or in the oven at a temperature of no more than 50 degrees.

If you do not have the opportunity to pick them yourself, when choosing blueberries at the market, follow these rules:

1. The berries should be evenly colored. Pale blue or pink color indicates harvesting too early.
2. If there is a waxy coating on the fruits, it means they are fresh and they were transported correctly.
3. Good berries are elastic, sweet in taste and odorless.
4. The seller at the market must have a coupon on hand proving the absence of harmful substances in the composition. The normal radiometric level is within 500 RV, but it is better if it does not exceed 100 RV. For this reason, you should not buy berries on the street; it is unknown in what environmental conditions the collection was carried out.

After the berries are harvested, you can begin treatment.

Blueberries and blueberries: what is the difference between the berries?

Often inexperienced pickers cannot understand the difference between blueberries and blueberries, because these berries are so similar. To understand the difference between blueberries and blueberries, let’s look at the photos of bushes.

Upon closer examination, you will notice the following differences:

• Blueberries have individual berries, while blueberries grow in clusters;
• blueberries are a rich dark blue, almost black, and blueberries are dove-blue;
• blueberries have ovoid leaves, pointed at the end, while blueberries have wider leaves with a blunt tip.

Well, the surest distinguishing feature is that if you crush a blueberry, it will stain your hands with dark red juice, but blueberries have pinkish flesh and it is impossible to get dirty with it.

Watch a good video on this topic, everything is accessible and explained clearly

Traditional treatment recipes using blueberries

The fruits of the plant have a wide variety of medicinal effects.

Vision

Improved vision. Eat half a glass of berries every day for a week, then take a break of 10 days and repeat the intake again. You can eat until you feel better. For variety, you can make this drink: 1 tbsp. Wrap the fruits in gauze and scald with boiling water, then rub them through a fine sieve and pour a glass of warm boiled water over the mixture; you can add a spoonful of honey for taste.

From cataracts. Pour 0.5 cups of dry berries with the same amount of distilled water and leave to infuse in a dark place under a lid for 15 minutes. Then pour the liquid into an enamel bowl and simmer over low heat until the volume is reduced by a third. Cool the resulting broth, filter and drop 2-3 drops into the eye 2-3 times a day. For a positive result, a course of treatment is required - 15 days, a two-day break, another 15 days.

Kidneys

From inflammation in the kidneys. Drink 300-500 ml of freshly squeezed blueberry juice in small portions per day.

Gastritis

For gastritis. Cook the jelly: pour 1.5 cups of fruit with the same volume of water and cook for a couple of minutes, then add a glass of heated milk, bring to a boil again and add starch and sugar 1 spoon at a time. Cook until thickened. This jelly is good at relieving the inflammatory process during exacerbation of gastritis.

Haemorrhoids

For bleeding hemorrhoids. Crush 2 tsp. berries and make a decoction of them, pouring a glass of water. Using a syringe, inject the warm product into the anus. Repeat the procedure daily until recovery.

Impotence

It will be useful for men to drink a mixture of carrot, blueberry and sea buckthorn juices, to which mummy is added in an amount of 0.3-0.5 g. Take it in the morning on an empty stomach and in the evening before going to bed.

Throat diseases

For a throat burn. 1 tbsp. pour dried berries with 350 ml of boiling water and leave for half an hour. Strain the infusion and, while it is warm, gargle with it.

Skin diseases

Boil fresh berries thickly, cool to a comfortable temperature and apply to the affected areas of the skin, tying a bandage on top. Compresses need to be changed daily, soaking dried bandages with warm whey. Eczema, burns, acne and skin ulcers are treated in this way.

Diarrhea and constipation

People are often interested in the question: do blueberries strengthen or weaken? The most interesting thing is that it gives both of these effects at the same time, depending on whether the berries are fresh or dry.

For diarrhea. Pour boiling water over dried blueberries and bird cherry fruits in equal proportions and cook in a water bath for a couple of minutes. Drink ½ glass 30 minutes before meals.

For constipation. The berries are consumed fresh or in the form of jelly. Blueberries in combination with milk give a good laxative effect.

Pressure

The question also often arises: do blueberries increase or decrease blood pressure? It is believed that the berry lowers blood pressure, however, hypotensive patients should not be afraid to consume it. A visible reduction in blood pressure can only be achieved by regularly consuming the fruit for several weeks. Therefore, people with low blood pressure can safely eat blueberries 1-2 times a week in moderation.

Vodka tincture

A popular blueberry remedy is vodka tincture. With its help, they restore visual acuity, lower blood sugar levels and treat anemia. To prepare the tincture, pour 300 g of berries into a liter jar, pour in 0.5 ml of good quality vodka, close the lid and leave in a dark, cool room for 1 month, then filter. The product is taken 1 tbsp. before meals three times a day.

We looked at the benefits of blueberries, but their healing effect is not limited to this; other components of the plant can also be used for medicinal purposes.

Recipes based on blueberry leaves and shoots

Blueberry foliage and shoots are most effectively used in the treatment of diabetes.

In the early stages of diabetes.

1. 1 tbsp. Brew crushed dry leaves with 1 cup of boiling water, wrap well and leave for at least 3 hours. Strain, cool and drink a glass in small sips three times a day. The course of treatment is 90 days.
2. Blueberry leaves also help well with diabetes in combination with bean pods and flax seeds. Take all components in equal quantities and make a mixture from them. Pour 2 tbsp. mixture with half a glass of water, bring to a boil, then reduce heat and cook for another 20 minutes. Leave for 3 hours and strain. Drink a quarter glass 5 times a day.

Blueberry branches to reduce sugar levels. It is necessary to prepare the branches before the flowering period. Pour 1 tbsp. l. dry branches with a glass of boiling water and cook for 20 minutes in a water bath. Take the product 1 tbsp. l. 3 times a day.

Cleansing the body, dieting, losing weight. Blueberry foliage is widely used in the treatment of other diseases. Tea based on them has a beneficial effect on the organs of the genitourinary system, cleansing and disinfecting them, as well as removing excess fluid from the body. You need to brew 2 tsp. crushed raw materials per 0.5 liters of water. This drink will also help with a strict diet for weight loss. Flavonoids, which are found in abundance in young foliage, can dull the feeling of hunger and reduce cravings for sweets.

For periodontal disease. Brew 1/3 cup of dry leaves with 1.5 cups of boiling water and leave in a thermos. Use the strained broth to rinse your mouth every 3 hours.

It is useful to wipe the face with a decoction of the leaves to relieve inflammation and also remove acne marks.

Thus, with a minimum number of contraindications, the beneficial properties of blueberries can solve a huge range of health problems. Now you know how these fruits are useful, and whether diseases can be overcome with the help of other components of the plant. It is no coincidence that American scientists included blueberries in the list of foods that must be consumed for a long and active life. Therefore, even if you do not have access to fresh berries, you can purchase dry or frozen fruits; in any case, you will bring invaluable help to your body.

Blueberries, the beneficial properties and contraindications for use of which have been studied by healers and official medicine, are one of the precious gifts of nature. The berries are distinguished by a unique sweet and sour taste and dark blue color with a blue tinge. Fresh and frozen blueberries are used for the prevention, treatment of many diseases and restoration of human strength after viral diseases.

The rich chemical composition of blueberries

Healing berries have a unique taste and composition, which determines the beneficial properties of blueberries. The combination of vitamins A, E, C, K, PP and group B helps strengthen the immune system, improve fat metabolism, increase visual acuity and tone of the main body systems - cardiovascular, nervous, integumentary, digestive, immune, urinary.

The microelements selenium, manganese, and zinc, which berries are rich in, participate in all processes of the body and protect a person from the formation of tumors. Macroelements calcium, magnesium, potassium, sodium, copper, iron affect the processes of hematopoiesis, strengthening bone tissue and blood vessels, improve digestion and the functions of the nervous system.

The abundance of organic acids makes blueberries an indispensable product for women. Oxalic, malic, quinic, acetic and succinic acids have the following properties:

• Improved metabolism.
• Preventing the formation of free radicals;
• Slowing down the processes of skin aging and general aging;
• Antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory action.

The benefits of blueberries are as follows:

1. Restores the retina of the eye, improving vascular nutrition. The high content of ascorbic acid not only improves immunity, but also helps strengthen eye vessels, relieve fatigue, and improve visual acuity.
2. The berries contain antioxidants, which are used to prevent cancer, strengthen blood vessels of the heart and nerve cells.
3. Leaf tea helps cleanse the body of toxins and improve metabolism.
4. It has an anti-inflammatory effect, diuretic and choleretic effect. The berries are used in the treatment of colds, throat diseases, inflammation of the liver, gall and bladder, cystitis, and gastritis.
5. Reduces blood sugar levels, normalizes the activity of the pancreas.
6. Relieves chronic diarrhea due to the presence of tannin astringents.
7. Keeps you young and healthy.

Not only the pleasant taste is valued, but also the properties of blueberries, fruits and leaves, which destroy pathogenic bacteria, accelerate tissue regeneration, reduce the concentration of cholesterol in the blood, improve memory and stabilize brain function.

Tip: To prepare perishable berries for future use and preserve maximum nutrients, it is best to freeze the sorted fruits in plastic containers in portions of 300-500 g. This packaging is convenient for quick defrosting and consumption.

Blueberries are a must-have berry in the diet of men and women.

When asked how blueberries are good for men, doctors unequivocally answer that the medicinal berries of a unique taste with anthocyanins, glycosides and astringents help in the treatment of gouty arthritis, which affects the stronger sex 20 times more often than women. The beneficial properties of blueberries include strengthening the capillaries and blood vessels of the brain, which has a beneficial effect on the prevention of early strokes.

The ability to improve hematopoietic function and increase hemoglobin in pregnant women and children after illness clearly shows how great the health benefits of blueberries are. For cystitis, brittle hair, weakened night vision, stomatitis, and thrombosis, tea made from leaves or dried berries, which has an unforgettable taste and beneficial effect, is indispensable in the diet of women. Infusions from the shoots eliminate hemorrhoidal and uterine bleeding. Fresh and dried fruits contain zinc and selenium. These minerals are necessary to adjust the hormonal levels in women, so tea in which the shoots and leaves are infused will eliminate problems in the female body.

With increased eye strain, fresh and frozen blueberries eliminate symptoms of fatigue and are used to prevent vision loss.

Valuable parts of the whole blueberry plant

The benefits of blueberries are greatest when consumed fresh, although frozen berries lose no more than 10% of their vitamins. Ripe, intact fruits have a therapeutic effect for improving vision, which are consumed daily for a month, 2 tablespoons per day between meals. Frozen berries do not lose their properties and are also used as food to improve visual acuity, with low stomach acidity, putrefactive processes in the intestinal tract, and with diarrhea.

If you add half a cup of frozen fruits or 400 ml of dried blueberry leaf tea to your daily diet, you can get rid of the symptoms of scurvy, stomatitis, gingivitis and increase the body's resistance to colds and viral diseases.

The amazing medicinal properties of blueberries also extend to the shoots and dried leaves of this plant. Leaves and shoots are collected during the flowering period of the bush and dried in a dark, ventilated room.

Decoctions and tea on leaves and shoots are used to relieve symptoms of the following ailments:

In what cases is it harmful to eat blueberries?

The benefits and harms of blueberries are incomparable: the healing properties are much greater than the dangers of worsening your health. Berries, shoots and dried leaves are contraindicated in the following conditions:

• increased stomach acidity;
• with dyskinesia of the gallbladder ducts;
• individual intolerance to fruits;
• with a tendency to constipation;
• with oxalate stones in the bladder;
• for acute diseases of the pancreas.

Scientists recognize the effectiveness of preventing and treating many diseases when blueberries are constantly present in the diet. The benefits and harms for each case are considered individually, therefore, if you have chronic diseases or doubts about the use of black and blue fruits or leaves in tea, you should consult your doctor. During the blueberry season, everyone can enjoy the ripe berries, but infused leaf tea with regular use requires control.

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Blueberries, whose health benefits include antitumor and anti-aging effects on the body, are famous for their ability to improve vision. In fact, this fact has not been scientifically proven and, from a medical point of view, the fruits of the plant prevent diseases of the eye organs, but do not eliminate existing ones. For this reason, we can talk about the absence of a therapeutic effect, but does everyone know what kind of disorders in the functioning of the eye organs this culture can prevent, whether the berry really preserves youth, what contraindications blueberries have. Detailed answers to these questions are presented in the text below.

Common blueberry belongs to the heather shrubs

What it is

Blueberries are shrubs that reach a maximum size of half a meter in height and grow in the tundra. The plant is used for medicinal and decorative purposes.

Classification:

• species affiliation Vaccinium;
• Vereskov family.

Description:

• shrubs with a lifespan of up to forty years;
• minimum height – 10 centimeters, maximum – 50;
• the angle of the branches relative to the trunk is acute;
• the leaves are arranged alternately, in a spiral;
• leaf shape – ovate/elliptic/ovate-elliptic with a point;
• foliage shade – pale below, light green above;
• root – creeping, with shoots;
• the flowering period occurs in the month of May;
• the color of the flowers is white with a greenish tint;
• flower shape - corollas with five teeth;
• number of pistils – one;
• stamens, number – 10 pieces;
• the flowers are tilted towards the ground so that the pollen is not damaged by excessive humidity;
• method of pollination - insects (bees, bumblebees);
• fruiting period - from the second ten days of July to the beginning of autumn;
• fruit color – bluish-black;
• each berry is covered with a dense waxy coating, after removal of which it acquires a darker, almost black hue;
• the color of the juicy pulp is purple;
• Each fruit contains up to forty small seeds inside.

Blueberry bushes reproduce by seeds and vegetatively. The culture's distribution area covers forest and swampy areas; the plant loves humidity and shade, so it does not grow in open spaces and warm countries. You can meet at:

• northern regions of Russia;
• on the server of the European part of the continent;
• Asian taiga.

At the moment, breeders have not developed crop varieties that can be grown in central Russia.

If you want to add variety to fruit crops and do not live in the north, planting and care, even taking into account all the planting rules listed below, may not be successful. This fact is explained by the fact that it is quite difficult to create a model of the plant’s natural habitat conditions by selecting the location and soil, because blueberries grow in forests. In order not to be sad after spending several years and not getting a harvest, it is better to purchase seedlings of blueberry varieties specially bred for your climatic conditions from the nursery. This does not mean at all that blueberries are unpretentious in care: the crops belong to the same family, are demanding in planting and choosing a place, and the fruits are superior in the number of anthocyanins to their close relative.

Composition and beneficial properties of blueberries

Before moving on to talk about the effect of the product on the human body, it is worth understanding in detail the components and their action.

Blueberries are high in iron

Blueberries: calories

The energy value of one hundred grams of fresh product is 44.0 kilocalories. A low value of this indicator does not mean the possibility of uncontrolled use, because an overdose of vitamins or minerals can lead to rejection by the body.

Blueberries: bju

Nutritional value per hundred grams, grams/percentage of daily requirement:

• proteins, 1.1/1.2;
• fat, 0.6/0.9;
• carbohydrates, 7.6/5.3;
• dietary fiber, 3.1/15.5;
• water, 86.0/2.8.

Blueberries: chemical composition

The vitamin and mineral composition is rich in the following substances:

Minerals	% of the norm in 100 g	Vitamins	% of the norm in 100 g
Potassium, K	2%	Vitamin A, RE	0,3%
Calcium, Ca	1,6%	beta carotene	0,6%
Silicon, Si	73,3%	Vitamin B1, thiamine	0,7%
Magnesium, Mg	1,5%	Vitamin B2, riboflavin	1,1%
Sodium, Na	0,5%	Vitamin B4, choline	1,2%
Sera, S	0,7%	Vitamin B5, pantothenic	2,5%
Phosphorus, Ph	1,6%	Vitamin B6, pyridoxine	2,6%
Chlorine, Cl	0,3%	Vitamin B9, folates	1,5%
Iron, Fe	3,9%	Vitamin C, ascorbic acid	11,1%
Yod, I	7,3%	Vitamin E, alpha tocopherol, TE	9,3%
Cobalt, Co	9%	Vitamin H, biotin	4,6%
Manganese, Mn	16,8%	Vitamin K, phylloquinone	16,1%
Copper, Cu	5,7%	Vitamin RR, NE	2%
Molybdenum, Mo	3,4%
Selenium, Se	0,2%
Fluorine, F	1,8%
Chromium, Cr	3%
Zinc, Zn	1,3%

Beta carotene serves as a material for the synthesis by the human body of a substance called retinol acetate. The connection is necessary to support the functioning of the organs of vision in the dark. B vitamins in combination with magnesium normalize the functioning of the nervous system, improve blood composition, thereby strengthening the structure of the nail plates, hair shafts, and improving the appearance of the dermis. Biotin improves cellular regeneration, due to which strands acquire a natural shine and healthy appearance.

Folic acid reduces the risk of developing congenital pathologies in the fetus (relevant during pregnancy), ascorbic acid is a material for the production of collagen, a building protein, the amount of which decreases with age, which leads to the appearance of visible signs of aging.

Tocopherol acetate has an antioxidant effect, which is also important for preserving youth. The substance supports the functioning of the genitourinary system, prevents male/female diseases.

A nicotinic acid reduces the risk of early gray hair, zinc is necessary to reduce hair loss, copper is necessary to maintain the natural shade of curls.

Calcium maintains the condition of teeth, is necessary for the musculoskeletal system.

Selenium stimulates the functioning of the immune system, manganese normalizes metabolic processes.

Iron necessary to maintain the amount of protein in the circulatory system called hemoglobin, which has a transport function - it delivers oxygen molecules to cells.

Despite the fact that the berries contain iron, this mineral is not absorbed by the human body, so eating blueberries does not lead to an increase in the amount of transport protein in the blood, but to its decrease.

The chemical composition of blueberries is rich in the following groups of compounds:

• digestible carbohydrates: starch/dextrins/monosaccharides/disaccharides;
• saturated fatty acids;
• polyunsaturated fatty acids: omega-3/omega-6;
• essential amino acids: arginine/valine/histidine/isoleucine/leucine/lysine/methionine/threonine/tryptophan/phenylalanine;
• nonessential amino acids: alanine/aspartic acid/glycine/glutamic acid/proline/serine/tyrosine/cysteine;
• phytoncides - anthocyanins;
• organic acids: malic/citric/succinic/oxalic/lactic/quinine;
• tannins;
• coloring agents;
• pectins.

Despite the fact that the proportion of proteins is quite small in terms of weight, the composition still contains amino acids, the combination of which is unique:

• glycine normalizes blood circulation and brain function;
• arginine dilates blood vessels, lowers blood pressure;
• phenylalanine eliminates headaches;
• tryptophan increases emotional levels and prevents depression.

Polyunsaturated fatty acids serve as a powerful tool for preserving youth, slowing down the natural aging process.

The proportion of organic acids, among which citric acid predominates, is quite small, so the berry does not cause heartburn attacks. Pectins are not digested by the human body, creating a feeling of fullness and thereby promoting weight loss. Tannins determine the antimicrobial effect. Anthocyanins, the concentration of which is quite high, prevent the formation of tumors and have an anticancer effect.

The seeds contain on average up to thirty percent fatty oils and protein. Obtained by cold pressing the product, the oil is rich in:

• tocopherol acetate;
• retinol acetate;
• ascorbic acid;
• fatty acids: oleic, linolenic, linoleic.

These compounds determine the pronounced rejuvenating and antioxidant effect of blueberry oil.

Blueberry leaves are less beneficial than berries

The composition of the leaves is rich:

• ascorbic acid;
• tannins;
• glycosides;
• flavonoids;
• elite oils;
• quinic, ursulic, oleanic, gallic, benzoic, tartaric acids;
• hydroquinone;
• myrtilline;
• triterpene alcohol;
• ericoline;
• ceryl alcohol;
• neomirtilline;
• arbutin;
• minerals: potassium/sodium/magnesium/calcium/iron/sulfur/phosphorus/chlorine/iodine.

Oleanic acid determines the antitumor and antiviral effect, malic acid - laxative, citric acid - antioxidant, quinic acid - normalizes body temperature, has a restorative effect, ursulic acid - anti-inflammatory, gallic acid - antitumor, hemostatic, anticancer. Benzoic acid, which is found in blueberry leaves, is known to act as a natural preservative.

Arbutin, which is isolated from blueberries for use in the pharmaceutical industry, has an antiseptic effect.

It is also worth noting that the plant is prone to the accumulation of radionuclides, so the berry is subject to additional control for the content of radium salts. For this reason, you should not collect fruits in dubious or unknown places, and as for purchasing - only in places where a radiation test is carried out.

Externally, blueberries that are hazardous to health are no different from those that do not contain radium, so it is impossible to determine this parameter on your own, without special equipment.

Despite the average lifespan of the shrub forty years, over time the amount of useful substances in the fruits decreases: it is recommended to collect from plants that are between ten and fifteen years old.

Such blueberries, over ten and under fifteen years old, contain few branches grown from the main trunk.

Blueberries: beneficial properties

The positive effect on the human body is expressed by the following effects:

• improved brain function;
• normalization of the functioning of the cardiovascular nervous system;
• improved blood circulation;
• prevention of eye diseases associated with the retina (not to be confused with the refractive apparatus);
• cleansing;
• stimulating (immune system);
• decreased blood viscosity;
• prevention of strokes, heart attacks;
• regulating the number of cholesterol and glucose units in the circulatory system;
• laxative;
• antioxidant;
• antitumor;
• strengthening (hair follicles and hair shafts, nail plates, musculoskeletal system);
• improving (appearance of the epidermis, metabolism, metabolic processes);
• anti-inflammatory (dried fruits);
• nutritious;
• vaso-strengthening.

Decoctions prepared from dried blueberries are used as a means to combat diarrhea due to their pronounced antimicrobial effect. The anti-cancer effect is explained by the presence of anthocyanins in the chemical composition, the concentration of which determines the color and saturation of the shade (when compared with blueberries, the berry has a darker shade under a bluish bloom).

It is worth distinguishing between the benefits of different parts of the plant: fruits, seeds, leaves. The first are recommended to be consumed whole, the second - in the form of oil, the third - in decoctions, infusions, teas.

There is an opinion that the benefits of blueberries for the body lie in their miraculous effect on the visual organs: the plant is credited with a regenerative effect, which has not been scientifically confirmed. In fact, the rich vitamin and mineral composition serves rather as a preventive measure for impaired eye function; certain substances have a beneficial effect on the retina, accelerating cell renewal.

Due to the low content of organic acids, the berry does not contribute to the destruction of tooth enamel, does not cause heartburn attacks, and is not contraindicated for inflammation and ulcers of the gastrointestinal tract.

Blueberries: beneficial properties and contraindications for women

The presence of problems with the hair shafts indicates possible malfunctions in the functioning of internal organs and systems, as a result of which the circulatory system does not deliver nutritional compounds to the hair follicles, deep layers of the dermis, and nail plates. For this reason, hair becomes dull, loses its natural shine, becomes brittle and split.

It is impossible to restore the damaged structure with any, even expensive procedures and means available in beauty salons. In this way, it is only possible to temporarily hide defects for the reason that there are no analogues to human collagen, and the animal is rejected after four to eight weeks.

In order for hair, epidermis, and nails to acquire a healthy appearance, it is necessary to improve the composition of the blood and cleanse the intestines of waste and toxins. These two tasks can be accomplished with the help of specialized dietary supplements or those rich in vitamins and minerals - B vitamins, tocopherol acetate, copper, zinc, magnesium. Blueberries contain not only these compounds, but also polyunsaturated fatty acids, which prevent early aging.

Amino acids have a normalizing effect on the nervous system, glycine improves blood circulation and brain function, anthocyanins prevent the formation of tumors.

If the effects are positive, nursing mothers should still not consume this product for at least four months after giving birth.

Blueberries strengthen the immune system

Blueberries for pregnant women: benefits and harms

The undoubted positive effect on the body did not pass by that period in the life of every woman when twice as much vitamins and minerals are required. You can eat the berries fresh, compote, fruit juice, but with caution. The fact is that a high calcium content can lead to complicated childbirth, oxalic acid can accumulate in the kidneys, and the use of excessively large quantities can cause individual intolerance to the product in mother and baby.

In order not to cause a negative effect on the fetus, before introducing it into the diet, you should still consult a doctor and follow the recommended amounts.

Strict adherence to contraindications and norms can solve some problems at different stages of pregnancy:

• eliminate toxicosis;
• prevent heartburn;
• improve metabolism;
• increase stress resistance.

To eliminate heartburn and attacks of toxicosis, it is recommended to drink fruit drinks.

It is worth noting that the berry, despite the fact that most sources talk about a possible increase in the level of transport protein, hemoglobin, in the circulatory system, does not have such an effect.

In fact, saponins, which average around 2.0% by weight, interfere with iron absorption. For this reason, when wondering how to increase hemoglobin, you should note that there are foods that contain iron, but lead to a decrease in the amount of transport protein.

Blueberries: beneficial properties and contraindications for men

Due to the high content of tocopherol acetate, the berry prevents diseases of the male genitourinary system, improves potency, and increases libido. B vitamins in combination with tryptophan increase stress resistance, copper preserves the natural shade of curls, nicotinic acid prevents early gray hair, zinc prevents excessive hair loss.

Arginine has a vasodilating effect, as a result of which regular use serves as a prevention of hypertension.

It is known that men over 50 years of age are more susceptible to diseases of the cardiovascular system. The chemical composition of the fruits of the plant contains potassium, which strengthens the functioning of the heart muscle, so the benefit of the fruits is that regular use prevents strokes and heart attacks.

Blueberries: benefits for children

For the child's body, the berry is a natural source of vitamins and minerals and can be introduced into the diet of babies over seven months of age in the form of juice or fruit drink. Pediatricians do not recommend giving it in its pure form for up to 12 months, and for up to three years, grinding it into a puree due to possible inhalation. In fact, the range of beneficial effects for a child’s body is wide:

• from six months can be added to curds;
• prevents diseases of the organs of vision;
• has an immunostimulating effect;
• improves brain function;
• used in the treatment of inflammation associated with the oral cavity.

The juice can be used to lubricate mouth ulcers of six-month-old babies.

Despite the wide range of benefits, cases of allergic reactions and individual intolerance are rare.

Frozen blueberries: beneficial properties

Placing berries in the freezer can preserve all the positive qualities for twelve months. The specified period guarantees health benefits, but over time, even in deep freezing conditions, destruction of vitamin substances occurs.

To prevent frozen berries from sticking together, the fruits must first be sorted, removing those susceptible to spoilage, then dried, placed on paper towels, and laid out on the bottom of the mold in one row. In this form, it must be kept in the freezer until completely frozen, then put in an airtight container or bag.

The container must be designed for storage at low temperatures, otherwise a specific unpleasant odor may appear. In this form, you can purchase the product ready-made all year round in retail chains.

Frozen blueberries are an excellent helper for the human immune system.

Dried blueberries: beneficial properties

Drying is carried out at a temperature of 50 to 60 degrees Celsius. To do this, the berries, previously washed under running water, are placed:

• in the shade on the street (natural conditions);
• dryer (specialized device);
• oven (initial temperature is 40 degrees).

Under natural conditions, complete dehydration occurs in seven to ten days, the berry acquires a slightly tart taste with an astringent note and changes characteristics: dried fruits have a strengthening effect and fully retain their beneficial properties for two years.

Garden blueberries: health benefits and harm, how to grow

At the moment, breeders have not developed specialized varieties that can grow on flat terrain, but the berry can still be grown in the central zone of the Russian Federation. What you need to consider is:

• acidic soil;
• humidity;
• penumbra;
• illumination

If at least one of the requirements is not met, the fruits will have a sour taste or be completely tasteless.

Landing rules:

1. First you need to mix peat with sand, sawdust, leaves, pine needles in an arbitrary proportion, and add powdered sulfur.
2. Recommended time is the first ten days of October.
3. There should be at least one and a half meters from bush to bush.
4. Pit size: diameter half a meter, depth at least sixty centimeters.

Scheme:

1. They are preparing a pit.
2. Cover with soil, fill the soil with water.
3. Leave for at least thirty days.
4. Dig a hole.
5. Moisturize.
6. Place the seedling so that the roots are not damaged.
7. Fill in half the soil.
8. Pour out half to a full bucket of water.
9. Fill up all the soil, make a hole, pour out half a bucket of water.
10. Fill the hole with leaves or pine needles.

If the place for growing is chosen correctly, in the future it is necessary to regularly water and fertilize:

• feeding - once a year, preferably in the autumn;
• watering during the season - twice a month.

When the bushes are three years old, excess branches will need to be pruned. The procedure must be performed annually in the future.

Medicinal properties of blueberries

According to data from various sources, the therapeutic effect attributed to the fruits of the plant by traditional healers in relation to the organs of vision is greatly exaggerated. Official medicine does not deny the fact of a beneficial effect on the retina of the eye organs, but the regenerative effect has not been proven by science. The fact is that vitamin substances of a chemical composition can improve the regeneration of retinal cells, but in the fight against myopia, farsightedness, and astigmatism, blueberries, the health benefits and harms of which are interrelated, are powerless.

However, doctors still do not deny the fact that regular use prevents eye diseases, hypertension, strokes, heart attacks, and thrombosis.

An interesting fact is that fresh berries are not effective against diarrhea, but a decoction prepared from dried fruits can eliminate problems in the gastrointestinal tract.

Due to the pronounced cholesterol-lowering effect, it can be used in the presence of diabetes mellitus.

Blueberry leaves: medicinal properties and contraindications

The text above presents the chemical composition of the leaves, which naturally differs from the fruits of the plant. Due to the presence of tannins, anthocyanins, and minerals, decoctions and other drinks prepared from foliage collected from the beginning of flowering to the formation of the ovary have a pronounced vascular-strengthening effect.

Young leaves are used to prevent and treat diseases such as hypertension.

Indications for use:

• diseases of the epidermis;
• impaired vision;
• disruptions in the functioning of the kidneys, cardiovascular, genitourinary, and nervous systems;
• digestive disorders;
• anemia;
• haemorrhoids.

To prepare tea, just immerse four tablespoons of leaves in a teapot for brewing, add a liter of boiling water, cover with a lid, and leave for at least thirty minutes.

It is contraindicated to drink drinks with leaves in the presence of constipation, diagnosis of impaired functioning of an organ such as the pancreas, or individual intolerance.

The foliage contains carcinogenic agents, so you should not drink more than two glasses of decoctions, infusions, and teas per day. For this reason, therapy should be carried out in courses with breaks.

Blueberries: benefits for vision

According to data provided by official medicine, the berry has an improving effect on the organs of vision, can be used as a prophylactic against hypertension, and can support the functioning of the visual system, but in the presence of serious diseases there is no pronounced therapeutic effect.

Experts say that there are no pharmaceutical preparations made from blueberry extract or dried juice with clinical trials. Dietary supplements on the market can only maintain vision at the existing level, preventing further deterioration.

You should not hope to independently cure impaired vision with the help of berries: if there are any deviations, therapeutic agents should be prescribed by a doctor.

Blueberries improve retinal trophism

Blueberries for type 2 diabetes: benefits and harms

The berry is recommended for use in diabetes mellitus in fresh, dried, paste form as an immunostimulating, vascular strengthening agent that reduces the amount of cholesterol in the circulatory system. Leaves and young shoots (in the form of decoctions, teas, infusions) are also suitable for use.

When diagnosing diabetes, it is prohibited to consume jams, preserves, fruits pureed with sugar, but the use of dishes with fructose should be discussed with your doctor.

Blueberry shoots: beneficial properties and contraindications

This part is available fresh to residents of the northern regions of our country, and the rest can be ordered via the Internet with delivery throughout the Russian Federation in dried form. Infusions have a pronounced hypoglycemic and cholesterol-lowering effect, therefore they are used in the treatment of diabetes mellitus. Before use, you must carefully read the instructions, where manufacturers offer recipes for healing drinks. The list of indications also includes inflammatory processes in the throat, metabolic problems, and peptic ulcers of the stomach and duodenum.

The dried shoots available on the market are not medicinal, but you should still consult a doctor before using them.

Do not use if you have gastritis with low acidity, impaired functioning of the pancreas, or poor blood clotting.

Blueberries: beneficial properties and contraindications for blood pressure

Science has not proven the property of the berry to have a regenerative effect on the organs of vision, but there are facts confirming the possibility of reducing the likelihood of developing hypertension. Fresh fruits, decoctions or infusions of leaves can be used for medicinal purposes. The fact is that the benefits of blueberries for blood vessels are explained by the presence in the chemical composition of an amino acid called arginine, which strengthens the walls of capillaries, increases elasticity, and ultimately lowers blood pressure.

The indicated positive effect occurs with an increased background pressure, but with chronic hypotension a greater decrease in blood pressure is possible (if excessively large quantities are consumed).

Blueberries: contraindications and side effects

The chemical composition of the berry includes unique combinations of amino acids, vitamins with minerals and fatty acids, and the low content of organic acids reduces the likelihood of heartburn attacks. These properties occur when the recommendations for daily consumed quantities are followed. The possibility of an allergic reaction in the form of nausea, vomiting, and dizziness cannot be ruled out. Overuse can also cause serious food poisoning.

It is worth knowing that blueberries, the beneficial properties and contraindications of which are interrelated, are prohibited for consumption if you have:

• individual intolerance;
• diarrhea;
• impaired functioning of an organ such as the kidneys (if urolithiasis is diagnosed);
• chronic diseases associated with the functioning of the pancreas;
• impaired liver function;
• chronic constipation;
• children less than seven months old;
• the first four months of breastfeeding (severe complications in the baby are possible).

If you have any diseases that are not listed in the list of contraindications, you should consult your doctor before introducing this product into your diet.

The berry should not be used during a course of treatment with pharmaceuticals that have a blood-thinning effect: in this case, heavy bleeding is possible.

Blueberries: how to choose and store

Fresh berries have a laxative effect due to the malic acid contained in the chemical composition, which occurs with constipation, but is not at all useful for diarrhea, which can also be caused by eating stale fruits. It is worth noting that berries with an unpleasant odor and traces of mold may contain fungi called aflatoxins that are deadly to the human body. For this reason, the choice of fruits should be treated with special attention.

You should not buy berries in dubious places - the plant accumulates radioactive elements, so the harvested crop must go through a stage of testing for the appropriate quality indicator. Unfortunately, it is impossible to visually determine this parameter - this will require expensive equipment that specialized laboratories are equipped with.

Criteria for selecting quality products:

• specific pleasant smell;
• solid color;
• no darkening;
• lack of soft spots;
• elastic to the touch;
• absence of traces of rot, mold, sour notes in taste and smell.

The presence of a specific waxy coating, which gives a lighter shade, indicates that the blueberries were picked manually and is not the reason for the refusal. If the product does not meet the above criteria, it means that it is better to purchase the berries elsewhere.

If there is an opportunity to harvest, you should not rush to use it immediately: you need to first find out whether the area is susceptible to radioactive radiation.

Those who are wondering whether it is possible to buy berries if there are damaged units of the product should know that molds tend to reproduce by spores, which are small in size and quickly spread to other products. For this reason, if there are traces of mold in a batch, you need to take into account that the fruits will not be stored fresh for a long time.

The blueberry season lasts about a month, and those who want to maintain a healthy diet strive to obtain vitamins and minerals from natural sources year-round. To preserve the taste of the juicy pulp of purple fruits until the next harvest, you can use the freezer, dryer, or prepare preparations.

Over time, beneficial substances undergo destruction and the synthesis of harmful compounds occurs, so you should not store the product for too long. Guaranteed validity under the following conditions:

• pre-washed berries placed in an open container with a paper towel at the bottom – 5-10 days;
• airtight container, freezer – 1 year;
• paper bag, dry place, protected from direct sunlight and moisture (for dried) – 2 years.

It will be possible to preserve the properties of a fresh harvest for a specified period of time only if a number of requirements are met, because blueberries very quickly rot and lose their benefits due to the lack of natural preservatives in the chemical composition (the concentration of benzoic acid is quite low). To do this you need:

1. Sort through the fruits, remove twigs and spoiled berries.
2. Rinse under running water and place in a colander.
3. When the excess liquid has drained, mix one glass of table vinegar with three glasses of boiled water.
4. Immerse the berries in the prepared solution.
5. Hold for no more than thirty seconds.
6. Rinse under running water and place in a colander.
7. As excess liquid drips off, dry on a paper towel.
8. Place dry berries in an open container, line the bottom with paper towels.

It should be stored in this form in the refrigerator, but not in the compartment intended for fruits/vegetables and not on the very top shelf - this will avoid moisture and the formation of condensation drops. Berries should be sorted daily, removing spoiled ones.

Blueberries: what you can cook

Fresh blueberries have the greatest benefits, and cooking dishes with heat treatment leads to the destruction of vitamin substances and increases the energy value. This factor should be taken into account when choosing a storage method.

Blueberry tea lowers blood sugar levels

Blackcurrant leaf tea with blueberries: benefits and harms

Ready-made teas with the indicated components are available for sale, which have a general strengthening effect on the body. Do not forget that if you have any diseases, you should first consult your doctor before use. You can also prepare the drink yourself, using dry or fresh raw materials.

Required:

• currant leaves/1 teaspoon;
• birch/1 teaspoon;
• blueberries, leaves/1 teaspoon;
• boiling water/500 milliliters.

1. Place the indicated quantities of herbs into the teapot.
2. Add boiling water.
3. Leave for at least ten minutes with the lid closed.

Blueberry jam: benefits and harms

Previously, this version of the dish was the main one for preserving the favorite taste until the February frosts. At this time of year, the amino acids present in the chemical composition of the product can be a means to avoid winter depression. The dish can be found everywhere on the shelves of retail chains, and you can also cook it yourself. It is worth considering that beneficial substances remain intact to a minimal extent during cooking, because unstable B vitamins, ascorbic acid and other compounds are subject to destruction. The addition of sugar expands the range of contraindications - making the product inapplicable for diabetes.

Required:

• blueberries/one kilogram;
• sugar/one and a half kilograms.

If fructose is used as a sweetener, the required amount is 900 grams. In this case, jam can be eaten if you have diabetes. The dish has another advantage: fructose does not destroy tooth enamel.

Step-by-step preparation scheme:

1. Sort the berries, remove spoiled ones, rinse under running water, and place in a colander to drain excess moisture.
2. Combine the fruits with 700 grams of sugar in a saucepan.
3. After five hours, when the juice appears, drain the liquid fraction.
4. Separately, mix the juice with sugar in a saucepan and put on fire.
5. As the juice dissolves, add the berries.
6. Cook for no longer than five minutes (from the moment of boiling).
7. Store in a dry, cool place away from direct sunlight (cellar).

Chicory with blueberries: beneficial properties

The drink is a mixture of extracts: the rhizomes of a plant growing under our feet (everywhere) with a berry in the form of an extract or whole (dried). Known for its positive effects and high inulin content, chicory helps improve metabolic processes and accelerate metabolism. The addition of berries expands the spectrum of action, imparting antioxidant properties.

Before use, you must carefully study the manufacturer's instructions presented on the packaging and adhere to the recommended quantities for use. An overdose may not have the best effect on the general condition of the body, and in the presence of chronic/acute forms of diseases, before introducing such a drink into the diet, you should first consult a doctor.

Blueberry syrup with fructose: benefits and harms

The addition of fructose instead of sucrose improves the digestibility of alcohol, which is important in case of poisoning from an alcohol-containing drink. The syrup can be purchased ready-made via the Internet. Manufacturers recommend using it for the treatment and prevention of diseases associated with impaired metabolism (gout, arthritis, arthrosis).

Before use, you must first consult with your doctor.

Blueberry fruit drink: recipe

Required:

• fruits/150 grams;
• sugar/150 grams;
• water/one liter.

The drink is suitable for twisting for the winter (then it requires five minutes of cooking).

Step-by-step preparation scheme:

1. Sort the fruits, remove the stalks, rinse under running water, place in a colander to drain excess moisture.
2. Combine water and sugar in a non-metallic container and place on fire.
3. As it boils, add the fruits.
4. Turn off the heat, remove from the stove, and cool.

Blueberries mashed with sugar: benefits and harms

The berry, which is not subject to prolonged cooking, still retains vitamin substances, because sugar acts as a preservative additive, but the presence of a sweetener in the composition of the dish still reduces to zero all the benefits of the plant’s fruits. This property expands the range of contraindications, and the dish can be consumed as a dessert without a therapeutic effect.

When making at home, you should follow the proportions specified in the recipe: violation can lead to rapid spoilage or a cloying taste.

Required:

• blueberries/kilogram;
• sugar/two kilograms.

Step-by-step preparation scheme:

1. Sort the berries, removing any spoiled ones, and rinse thoroughly under running water.
2. Place in a colander to drain excess moisture.
3. Dry by shaking the colander.
4. In a container suitable for whipping, combine the sugar with the fruit.
5. Beat until the sugar grains are completely dissolved.
6. Pour into pre-sterilized containers, screw the lids on the jars.

Store the dish in the refrigerator for no longer than 12 months.

Blueberries with milk: benefits and harms

When purchasing frozen berries, it is difficult not to notice on the packaging a recipe for preparing a drink with milk, where various manufacturers recommend adding the fruits of the plant to milk and blending with a blender. The use of this dish should be treated with caution: the fact is that there are both disadvantages and advantages:

• the laxative effect increases;
• the absorption of nutrients increases;
• recommended for children;
• It is not advisable for adults to drink.

The fact is that when a person reaches the age of twenty, the amount of enzymatic substances in the body that can break down a substance called lactose gradually decreases. In this regard, the possibility of digesting this drink is lost, because the following disturbances in the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract are possible:

• bloating;
• increased gas formation;
• discomfort in the abdominal area;
• diarrhea.

Children under three years of age should not drink the described mixture, and at an older age it can be given to a child only in the absence of allergic reactions. The dish has a number of positive effects:

• improved functioning of the gastrointestinal tract;
• improved brain functioning;
• strengthening immunity.

Regular use serves as a prevention of colds and viral infections, to which the body is more susceptible during periods of autumn-spring vitamin deficiencies.

Blueberry compote: benefits

According to doctors, preparing such dishes where there is a long heat treatment lasting more than ten minutes is worth taking into account the loss of the positive effect. During the specified period of time, complete destruction of useful substances occurs, because B vitamins, for example, destruct over time even under deep-freezing conditions.

Required:

• fruits/three hundred grams;
• water/three liters;
• sugar/to taste.

Step-by-step preparation scheme:

1. Rinse the berries thoroughly under running water and place in a colander to drain excess moisture. If we are talking about a frozen product, preliminary defrosting is not required.
2. Combine sugar and water in a saucepan, place on the stove, and turn up the heat.
3. As it boils, add the fruits.
4. Cook for no more than one minute with the lid closed (from the moment of boiling).
5. Remove the compote from the stove and cool.

Kefir with blueberries: benefits and harm

The dish is part of a kind of dietary food system, which involves a three-day diet according to the following scheme:

• breakfast: cottage cheese (100 grams) + 100 grams of blueberries + a teaspoon of sour cream / kefir, one with so.;
• snack: kefir (150 grams) + berries (250 grams);
• lunch is similar to breakfast;
• snack: yogurt (100 g) + berries (150 g);
• dinner is the same as the first snack.

This nutritional system is not recommended in the presence of any deviations, because, despite all the health benefits of the berry, a three-day restriction from eating familiar foods can lead to malfunctions of internal organs and increase the symptoms of existing diseases. For this reason, you can follow the described scheme only if there are no deviations.

Due to the high fiber content, following the rules of this diet you can lose up to three kilograms in just three days. In combination with kefir, the fruits of the plant act as a laxative that improves the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract, so you can consume the dish without adhering to a dietary system.

The use of blueberries in cosmetology

In the cosmetic industry, not only the pulp is used, but also the juice, extract of the plant’s fruit, as well as the seeds contained in the pulp, from which valuable oil is obtained by pressing (cold pressing). The fact is that visible problems with the epidermis, hair strands, and nail plates are only a consequence of impaired functioning of internal organs, bad habits, contact with chemicals, external factors and other reasons.

To restore the healthy appearance of these parts of the body, you should act comprehensively, combining proper nutrition with care procedures. To do this, you can use high-tech tools developed in laboratories that can solve existing problems in two or three applications, but the result will disappear as the course ends. You can achieve stable results with homemade masks, which will cost a pittance, but the first improvements should be expected after at least a month of regular use.

If there is excessive loss of strands, dandruff, itching, peeling of the epidermis of the face and other abnormalities, a doctor’s consultation is necessary.

For home remedies, fresh berries or oil are suitable. The oil can be purchased ready-made and used to solve the following problems with the facial epidermis:

• acne;
• enlarged pores;
• excessive fat content;
• redness;
• uneven tone;
• age-related changes;
• the presence of dark circles in the periocular area.

Effects of using blueberry oil:

• toning;
• rejuvenation;
• hydration;
• nutrition;
• regeneration.

The product has no restrictions for use by type of epidermis, which cannot be said about fresh berries, which are not advisable to use on dry dermis. The disadvantage of products made from fresh berries is the pronounced coloring effect. You can solve the problem by rinsing with lemon water.

Do not use metal utensils when making home remedies: useful components may oxidize.

Blueberry: mask for the skin around the eyes

Required:

• berries/two tablespoons;
• aloe vera gel/two tablespoons

Preparation: Rinse the fruits of the plant under running water, dry, and put in the refrigerator for an hour. Mash the cooled berries until pureed, add the gel, mix.

Application: After washing with a special product, spread with a sponge in an even layer in the area around the eyes. Twenty minutes after application, remove using warm water.

Result: Moisturizing, refreshing.

Blueberry: face mask

Required:

• fruits/two tablespoons;
• sour cream/two hundred spoons

Preparation: Rinse the berries under running water, dry, mash, pour in sour cream, stir.

Application: Using a sponge, distribute the mixture along the massage lines, after deep cleansing the dermis of the face. After fifteen minutes, remove using cool boiled water.

Result: Nutrition, toning, moisturizing, eliminating signs of fatigue, preventing early aging.

Blueberries: hair mask recipe

Required:

• fruits/three hundred grams;
• water temperature no higher than 90 degrees/according to the number of berries.

Preparation: Add hot water to the washed and dried berries and leave until cool. Next, drain off excess moisture and grind the mixture into a homogeneous mass.

Application: Rub into the root part of the hair shafts, distribute the remainder among the curls, insulate your head first with a bag (a plastic cap is also suitable), then with a towel. After thirty minutes, remove with water.

Result: Shine, radiance, moisturizing, eliminating split ends.

Blueberries: as many as possible per day

Consuming excessively large quantities of a product with a pronounced laxative effect can cause diarrhea and other symptoms of rejection. To provide the body with the necessary amount of vitamins and minerals for a day, it is enough to eat 250-300 grams. For children, the maximum daily dose is from one hundred to one hundred and fifty grams. The specified amount guarantees maximum benefit without side effects, because to improve your health, you should use the product in small portions, but regularly.

Brief summary

1. It is known that the benefits and harms of blueberries, which depend on compliance with contraindications and the recommended daily intake, grow in the northern regions of our country, but can be grown in the middle zone, taking into account a number of nuances.
2. The chemical composition contains amino acids that regulate brain function, improve blood circulation, and dilate blood vessels. B vitamins in combination with minerals improve the functioning of the cardiovascular and nervous systems.
3. The rich hue of blueberries is determined by the concentration of substances called anthocyanins, which have an antitumor effect.
4. It is necessary to distinguish between the benefits of fruits, seeds, leaves, shoots - the effect of each part is determined by the chemical composition.
5. Despite the positive effect, if there are any deviations, in order not to cause an increase in the symptoms of the existing disease, it is necessary to consult a doctor.