Blueberries: beneficial properties and contraindications

Blueberries are a unique berry that constitutes one of the main riches of Russian forests, along with other edible plants and mushrooms. It has valuable nutritional properties, and its role in human health is no less significant. The health benefits and harms of blueberries will be covered in detail in this article. It is not without reason that this plant has been included in the list of medicines in many countries around the world. In addition to its widely advertised properties of having a beneficial effect on the organs of vision, many other healing properties can be found in this plant.

Chemical composition of blueberries

Blueberry is a small shrub with dark purple berries covered with a pronounced waxy coating. The berries contain such an attractive appearance because they contain a large amount of essential oils. The shrub is found in swamps and forests, mainly in the northern regions of Russia, but there is also a southern variety, widespread in the Caucasus mountains.

Breeders have bred and successfully cultivated garden forms of blueberries. But if their taste is in no way inferior to their wild relative, then in terms of their beneficial health properties, wild blueberries are significantly superior to their garden counterparts.

Of course, its vitamin composition is rich and varied:

• beta-carotene or vitamin A;
• ascorbic acid or vitamin C;
• almost a complete set of B vitamins;
• nicotinic acid or vitamin PP;
• tocopherol or vitamin E;
• phylloquinone or vitamin K.

Berries contain a lot of various micro- and macroelements:

• copper;
• manganese;
• zinc;
• selenium;
• iron;
• phosphorus;
• chromium;
• sulfur;
• potassium;
• sodium;
• calcium;
• magnesium.

But most of the unique health properties of blueberries arise from the diversity of organic acids, which make up about 7% of the dry matter:

• dairy;
• apple;
• lemon;
• sorrel;
• cinchona;
• amber;
• vinegar

After all, organic acids not only have antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties, but are also able to slow down the processes of cellular aging, prevent the formation of free radicals and normalize all types of metabolism.

Both blueberry berries and leaves contain a significant amount of pectin and tannins (more than 12%), which accelerate the restoration of cells and tissues and have antiseptic and antimicrobial properties.

And the essential oils, which have already been mentioned, can destroy pathogenic bacteria, as well as have a sedative and anti-inflammatory effect.

In addition, flavonoids, myrtilline and neomyrtillin are found in its leaves and fruits - organic compounds that have an antioxidant effect and can lower blood sugar levels.

At the same time, blueberries have a very low glycemic index. It is 43 units.

Calorie content of blueberries per 100 grams

Regardless of their rich composition, the calorie content of blueberries cannot be called very high. According to various sources, it ranges from 40 to 55 kcal. Which in turn is only 2.5% of the average daily value.

What are the benefits of blueberries for the human body?

Having examined in detail the rich composition of the plant called blueberries, it becomes clear that its beneficial effects on the health of the human body are unusually wide.

1. Berries are an excellent natural antibiotic and antiseptic. Therefore, many colds are effectively treated, including sore throat, cough and sore throat.
2. They are no less useful for curing diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. Substances found in berries have a disinfecting effect on internal organs. As a result, the microflora in the intestines is significantly improved, and putrefactive processes are prevented.
3. The anti-inflammatory effect that the berries have is beneficial for the treatment of all types of rheumatism, as well as kidney and bladder diseases.
4. Blueberries help remove toxins from the body, which generally leads to a slowdown in the processes of aging and destruction.
5. Their use can have a beneficial effect on the pancreas, the normal functioning of which prevents the development of diabetes mellitus. And other unique substances contained in berries can have a positive effect on the treatment of this disease.
6. One of the most unique beneficial properties inherent in blueberries is its beneficial effect on eye diseases.
7. Infusions of berries and leaves, in addition, actively fight radioactive compounds and are even able to remove them from the body.
8. The astringent and disinfectant properties of the berries and leaves help in the treatment of hemorrhoids, as well as for healing damage from a variety of skin diseases: eczema, ulcers, burns.
9. Blueberries and preparations made from them work equally well on the human body for preventive purposes. They increase immunity, strengthen blood vessels, and prevent the development of diseases of the cardiovascular system.

Blueberry honey

The honey obtained by bees during the flowering of blueberry bushes is distinguished by a translucent color with a reddish-raspberry tint, a pronounced blueberry flavor and berry aroma. The beneficial properties of blueberry honey and contraindications for its use are not fundamentally different from the berry itself.

What are the benefits of blueberries for the female body?

For women, the berries themselves and decoctions of blueberry leaves can be beneficial, primarily for cosmetic purposes, and when using them for the health of the female body, the possible harm they can cause should also be taken into account.

1. Berries have long been widely used for skin rejuvenation. Anti-inflammatory and moisturizing masks and creams are made from them.
2. Antioxidants in fruits accelerate blood circulation, have a beneficial effect on cell regeneration, and prevent tissues from aging prematurely.
3. Both folk and official medicine recommend eating blueberries on women's critical days. It will be able to remove unpleasant and painful syndromes, relieve muscle spasms, and help regulate the menstrual cycle.
4. The usefulness of blueberries is also evident in the treatment of kidney diseases, genitourinary tract and gynecological problems.
5. The rich composition of berries has a beneficial effect on hair condition. After just a month of regular use, both internally and externally, dandruff will disappear, and your hair will gain thickness and shine.
6. Help in the treatment of varicose veins is also relevant for women. By normalizing blood flow and improving circulation in the blood channels, eating blueberries can alleviate this disease.

Benefits of blueberries for men

Blueberries can also be beneficial in matters of men's health. As a result of many years of research, the presence of flavonoids in berries has been proven - special substances that provide many body functions, including sexual health. Reproductive function improves by improving testicular function and improving sperm quality.

The beneficial health properties of berries also help in curing inflammation of the prostate gland and solving problems with the functioning of the heart, which is increasingly becoming relevant for middle-aged men.

Benefits of blueberries for pregnant women

Blueberries can be a real salvation for many women during pregnancy. Indeed, during this period, treatment with antibiotics and other strong drugs is contraindicated. But, thanks to its strong anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties, the berry will help cope with most colds and infectious diseases.

So, for a sore throat, the following recipe will be very effective: dilute 2 tablespoons of blueberry juice in a glass of warm water and regularly gargle with the resulting mixture.

During pregnancy, any female body works for two, so it simply needs a double dose of minerals and vitamins. A lack of calcium, iron, potassium, and low hemoglobin levels can lead not only to deterioration of teeth and hair, but also to more serious health problems. All this can be provided by blueberries if consumed in small quantities but regularly. In addition, they can serve as an excellent prevention of exacerbation of chronic diseases.

The fruits will also help with any digestive problems. You just need to remember the main contraindications for consuming this berry and eat it in small quantities, preferably after meals.

And, of course, any pregnant woman wants, no matter what, to remain beautiful. And blueberries will also provide her with effective help with this.By including it in your daily diet and complementing the action with occasional masks containing it, you can ensure the beauty of your skin, hair and nails. Moreover, both before and after the birth of a child, when there is no longer any extra time for self-care.

Can I have blueberries while breastfeeding?

Even during the period of bearing a child, the substances present in blueberries contribute to the formation of its central nervous system and skeleton. Therefore, even later, after birth, eating blueberries by a nursing mother can hardly be called harmful. Of course, in the absence of general contraindications to eating this berry, which are universal for everyone.

After all, blueberries during breastfeeding will help both the mother’s body recover faster after pregnancy and childbirth, and the child to receive in its natural form all possible substances useful for life.

It is better to start with literally a few berries and carefully monitor the baby’s reactions in order to promptly identify cases of individual intolerance.

Beneficial properties of blueberries for children

If the baby has already become acquainted with blueberries while breastfeeding, then even at an older age this berry can bring him many health benefits.

It contains a lot of calcium, so the formation of the child’s bone and muscle apparatus will occur faster and more fully. Children are especially willing to drink milk with blueberries, and this drink can bring nothing but benefits to an actively growing child’s body.

During periods of widespread colds, regularly eating fresh pureed berries with sugar can have a serious preventive effect. After all, blueberries strengthen the immune system well.

It can also be of considerable importance for giving additional strength during active physical and mental stress.

For both small and large children, it will be the best assistant in normalizing digestion. Indeed, for any disorders, especially non-infectious ones, berries normalize digestion, and in the necessary direction. You just shouldn’t overuse fruits for chronic constipation - it’s better to find a more suitable medicinal product.

At what age can you give blueberries to a child?

Blueberries are a rather sweet berry and should appeal to any child. Unlike many other healthy berries, pediatricians recommend giving blueberries a try at a very tender age, before one year or seven months. Of course, the berries must be crushed and introduced into the child’s diet in the form of puree. Perhaps mixed with other hypoallergenic berries and fruits, such as apples.

Starting from the age of three, children can eat blueberries in large quantities - up to 1-2 glasses a day.

Harm to blueberries

It is difficult to imagine that such a healthy berry as blueberries can have any harmful effect on the health of the body. However, this is quite likely if it was collected in environmentally unfavorable areas. After all, blueberries have the ability to accumulate various toxins and radioactive substances in their fruits.Therefore, you should beware of eating berries brought from Belarus, Ryazan and Bryansk regions.

Blueberries strengthen or weaken stool

There are many discrepancies regarding the ability of blueberries, one way or another, to affect the body during intestinal disorders. Many sources claim its ability to loosen stools. On the other hand, there is also a lot of information about its fixing properties.

It turns out that the matter is quite simple. Dried berries are an excellent remedy for loose stools, and for these purposes they can also be consumed in the form of decoctions and compotes. But to cope with constipation (but not of a chronic nature), fresh blueberries or juice squeezed from them, always raw, are quite suitable.

Blueberries for diarrhea

As already mentioned, the best way to treat diarrhea or loose stools is to use dried blueberries. It is enough to eat about 5-6 berries so that after a few hours the bloating stops, the diarrhea goes away, and strength begins to be restored.

This effect of blueberries on diarrhea is explained by the presence of a large amount of tannins, the concentration of which only increases when dried. By the way, a decoction of blueberry leaves has a similar effect. It contains many tannins, which have a beneficial effect on the intestinal mucosa and remove harmful compounds from it.

For treatment, you can use the following recipe:

• 1 tbsp. l. dry berries or dried blueberry leaves;
• 2 cups boiling water.

Manufacturing:

1. Mix the necessary ingredients and evaporate the liquid using steam until its volume is reduced by half.
2. Strain and let cool.
3. Take ¼ cup of decoction before meals several times a day.

The product will help reduce acidity, eliminate heartburn and relieve inflammation of the mucous membrane of the stomach and intestines.

There is also a recipe for an alcohol tincture, which, unlike a decoction, can be stored for a long time. 100 g of dry berries are poured into 1 liter of 70% alcohol and left in a dark place for 21 days. Take, diluting with water (1 tablespoon per 100 ml of liquid), several times with an interval between doses of about 6 hours. The tincture can significantly alleviate the condition of both gastrointestinal infections and food poisoning.

Blueberries for constipation

But fresh blueberries or juice from them can have the completely opposite effect. The fact is that fresh berries contain a large amount of fiber. And it helps to quickly cleanse the intestinal tract of stagnant foods. In addition, blueberries contain substances that are very beneficial for intestinal microflora.

It should be remembered that the absolutely harmless daily dose when eating fresh blueberries is about 100 g.

Health Benefits of Blueberries

Much has already been said about the beneficial effects of blueberries on the body. This chapter provides specific recipes that use blueberry berries or leaves.

Blueberries for vision

Not so long ago, it was believed that the unique composition of substances contained in blueberries could serve as a panacea for almost all eye diseases. But scientists could neither completely refute nor prove this fact.Only a glucoside was discovered in the berries, which can resist the formation of glaucoma and cataracts. However, in practice, cases of improved night vision as a result of regular consumption of blueberries have been confirmed.

Therefore, there are specific recipes for using blueberries to prevent and help with the following eye problems.

1. To restore and improve visual acuity 1-2 tbsp. l. dry berries are poured with cold water so that they are completely hidden under water. Soak for 10-12 hours. Berries are eaten half an hour before meals.
   
2. The so-called “raw” jam, that is, berries ground with sugar in a 1:1 ratio, has exactly the same effect.
3. To help with conjunctivitis, just eat 1 tbsp. l. dried blueberries per day.
4. To treat myopia, squeeze the juice from fresh berries, dilute with boiled water in a ratio of 1:2 and instill 5 drops into each eye once a day in the morning.

Blueberries for weight loss

Both blueberry berries and leaves are actively used in a variety of diets due to their rich composition and at the same time low calorie content.

For example, you can arrange fasting days on which you eat exclusively blueberry products. You can alternate fresh berries with fermented milk products. (Blueberry puree is mixed with kefir in a 1:2 ratio and 1 teaspoon of honey is added.) However, you should not extend this fasting period by more than 3 days without prior consultation with a specialist.

Blueberry leaves will also have a beneficial role in reducing appetite if you mix them in equal proportions with green tea leaves and brew them as tea.

You can also take a special powder made from natural herbs to reduce appetite. It consists in equal proportions of:

• blueberry leaves,
• horsetail grass;
• valerian root;
• bean flaps.

All dry herbs are crushed, mixed and taken ½ tsp. a quarter of an hour after meals, 2 times a day.

Blueberries for type 2 diabetes

Since organic compounds similar in structure to insulin were found in blueberry fruits, the berries are quite capable of bringing benefits and playing the role of a real remedy, especially for type 2 diabetes.

Herbal infusions prepared according to the following recipes can help:

1. Pour 35 g of blueberry leaves, nettles and dandelion roots into 250 ml of boiling water. Heat in a water bath for about 40 minutes and, dividing into 3 parts, drink throughout the day.
2. Blueberry leaves and burdock roots are mixed in equal parts. 1 tsp. pour 250 ml of boiling water into the mixture and leave for 1 hour. Take 2 tbsp. l. 3-4 times a day.

Blueberries for gout

For gout, blueberries, like some other berries, play the role of a diuretic and anti-inflammatory agent.

The following recipes are used:

1. 4 tbsp. l. pour a liter of water over the blueberries, heat for an hour in a water bath, infuse for the same amount and filter. Take 4-5 times a day, 1 tablespoon.
2. 1 tbsp. l. blueberry leaves are poured into 500 ml of boiling water, left for half an hour and taken throughout the day.

For the cardiovascular system

The unique composition of blueberries allows:

1. Reduce blood pressure with long-term use.
2. It has a beneficial effect on the walls of blood vessels and reduces the fragility and permeability of capillaries.

To lower high blood pressure 5 tsp. dried berries are poured with a glass of boiling water and left for 8 hours. After straining, distribute the infusion evenly to consume throughout the day.

For immunity

No other berry can compare with blueberries for their effect on the immune system. Indeed, in addition to a rich set of vitamins and minerals, it contains anthocyanins (powerful antioxidants), and even in the highest possible concentration.

It is best to brew 1 tsp. berries and blueberry leaves in a glass of boiling water, leave and regularly take 3 tbsp. l. infusion about 4 times a day.

In what form is it better to eat berries?

For treatment and prevention, it is best to consume fresh berries or squeezed juice from them.

Of course, you can prepare a lot of delicious things from them for berries for the winter. But most of the health benefits of the berry are lost during heat treatment, especially long-term.

The beneficial properties are best preserved in dried berries. Blueberries are dried in two stages: first, at a temperature of + 35-40 ° C, they are slightly dried for about 2 hours, and then they are finally allowed to dry at a temperature of + 55-60 ° C in an oven or electric dryer.

To a greater extent, frozen berries retain their beneficial properties, especially since this method of preservation is one of the simplest.

One of the most popular ways to prepare berries for the winter is to grind them with sugar using a 1:1 ratio. This natural medicine should be stored in the refrigerator.

Why are blueberries bitter?

Fresh blueberries are unlikely to be bitter, but after 3-4 days of storage they may develop a slight bitterness. This usually means that the fruits are spoiled and are unsuitable for food, much less for treatment.

Another common reason why berries are supposedly bitter is simple deception. If you look closely you can see that some berries differ in shape and possibly size from others.Simply, when selling blueberries, an unscrupulous seller replaced some of the berries with cheaper and sometimes bitter fruits of edible honeysuckle. These berries are similar in color, but differ in shape.

In this case, blueberries (together with honeysuckle) can be eaten, although the therapeutic effect may be reduced.

Contraindications

In addition to a large number of beneficial properties, blueberries also have some contraindications for consumption.

1. First of all, like all edible products, blueberries can cause individual intolerance with an accompanying allergic reaction.
2. Berries are not recommended for use in case of oxalate form of urolithiasis.
3. Caution should be exercised when eating berries in acute forms of diseases of the duodenum and pancreas.
4. There is no need to eat dried berries if you are constipated.
5. There are also contraindications to its use in cases of reduced blood clotting.

Conclusion

Both the health benefits and harms of blueberries are quite obvious. Useful recommendations and recipes set out in the article can help many people become healthier with the help of a truly Russian and seemingly very unpretentious, but surprisingly healing berry - blueberries.

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