Blueberries have become a fetish in today’s healthy food culture. The berry is added to vitamins, dietary supplements, promising that its composition and beneficial properties will make the vision sharper, the waist thinner, and the brain more active. Is this really so and what is actually hidden in blueberries?
Product History
The history of blueberries begins in North America. The local population used the berry for cooking and medicinal decoctions. The Indians used not only the berries of the plant, but also the leaves. Blueberries were dried, boiled, consumed raw. Soaked fruits, ground into porridge, were used for cosmetic purposes: they were applied to the face or sensitive areas of the body. The berry moisturized, nourished and restored the affected dermis.
In the 15th century, with the increase in the number of settlers, the popularity of blueberries also increased. The berry migrated to Europe, where it went a long way of cultivation and selection. Initially, XNUMX varieties of blueberries were developed, half of which have taken root and are widespread on the modern market.
Despite the efforts of breeders, the berry did not become in demand in the countries of Central Europe. Consumers still look with disbelief at blueberries and choose the more familiar and proven plants of the lingonberry family (lingonberry, blueberry, cranberry). In their historical homeland, despite the prejudices, blueberries are very popular and are present in the diet of the majority of the population.
Distribution
Blueberries grow in all regions of the Northern Hemisphere, and they like temperate or cold climates. Most often it grows in the forest zone, swamps, peat bogs, the upper mountain belt, tundra, along streams and rivers. Geographic centers of berry distribution: North America (Alaska, California, Newfoundland), Eurasia (Iceland, Great Britain, Transbaikalia, Yugoslavia, Mongolia, Spain, Italy).
General characteristics
Blueberries form on small bushes that are no more than 1 meter high. The branches of the bush are curved, smooth and plastic, painted in a gray shade. The length of the leaves does not exceed 3 centimeters. Before forming a fruit, the shrub develops a beautiful white or pinkish five-toothed flower. The berry is formed from these flowers and reaches 1 to 2 cm in diameter. Fruits are roundish, colored grayish-blue.
The berries ripen by August, become soft, with a delicate taste and deep blue tint. Blueberries harvested at the end of August are considered the juiciest and richest.
It is important to take into account the specific structure of the berry during transportation. The fruits are easily crushed, burst and become unusable. Gently tamp the blueberries into containers (glass jars or heavy wooden crates), trying to avoid potholes and bumps on the way to the finish point.
Previously, blueberries were considered an intoxicating and harmful berry. The reason for this is banal carelessness. Unformed blueberries are often confused with rosemary. It is this plant that has an intoxicating effect, provokes headaches and nausea. The consequence of such a mistake is the specific nicknames of blueberries (drunkard, gonobel), which are still common among the people.
Useful properties of berries
Diuretic effect
The acids that make up the berry normalize the physiological processes in the body. Blueberry has a beneficial effect on the diuretic system: it increases the rate of urine formation and urination frequency. With urine, harmful stagnant substances, excess fluid and salt are excreted from the body.
Antiscorbutic action
Scurvy develops due to a lack of vitamin C. Blueberries are one of the leading foods in terms of this vitamin, which will restore balance and prevent the development of pathologies.
Improving metabolic processes
Pectin, which is part of the fruit, has a beneficial effect on the gastrointestinal tract, accelerates metabolism, which leads to a decrease in body weight.
Antioxidant effect
The juice obtained from blueberries is the leader in the amount of vitamins and beneficial acids. The juice provokes lipid oxidation, maintains the functionality of biomembranes, and develops the body’s energy potential.
Blueberries act as a natural antiseptic. It sterilizes the body and protects it from external pathogenic influences.
Blueberry fruits are allowed to be consumed during the diet. The calorie content of the product is 37 kcal per 100 grams.
The healing effect of the berry
Blueberries are a part of medicines, used in their pure form to treat diseases. The berry is able to cure:
- pathology of the cardiovascular system;
- diseases of the gastrointestinal tract;
- bronchitis, flu, pneumonia, fever;
- low level of the protective function of the immune system;
- diabetes;
- dysentery;
- metabolic disorders;
- insomnia;
- hypertension;
- obesity.
The medicinal effect is achieved only in combination with medications prescribed by the doctor. Fruits can enhance the effect of the drug and complement the treatment, rather than completely replace it.
Cosmetic effect of the berry
Blueberries are a frequent visitor to luxury niche brands, specialized pharmacy brands and mass-market cosmetics. Most often, the berry is part of the “anti-age” products. It acts on the dermis as an antioxidant: it minimizes the signs of aging and withering of the epithelium, smoothes fine expression lines, makes the skin smoother and more elastic.
Cosmetologists recommend using blueberries not only as a means of fighting wrinkles, but also to prevent skin aging. The berry nourishes the skin with nutrients as much as possible, which will prolong your youth for several years.
Blueberries are responsible for the SPF level of a cosmetic. The berry is able to protect the skin from the harmful effects of ultraviolet radiation. If you do get an overdose of sun and get burned, apply blueberry cream or gel to the damaged areas. It will have an antiseptic, nourishing and regenerating effect.
Making a rejuvenating blueberry mask at home is common. Several ways to use the fruit:
- berry can be enriched with creams and serums for daily care. Chop the fruits and add them to your favorite night cream if you want to speed up its action and improve the result;
- blueberries can be used to make homemade creams, oils and scrubs. Choose a complex of essential oils that suit your skin type, mix with crushed berries and apply to your face. If you want to make a scrub, take small abrasive particles of a plant product (for example, coffee or apricot pits) and mix with blueberry gruel. The procedure will have not only exfoliating, but also a nourishing effect.
Use in cooking
Most often, wild berries are consumed fresh. It is added to salads, main courses and desserts. The sweet and sour taste of blueberries will complement a sweet curd dessert, quiche or cheese platter.
The berry is frozen, dried, juice is squeezed out, jams are made or eaten directly from the garden. Vitamin and chemical composition, at the same time, practically does not differ and retains its useful properties.
Homemade wine can be made from crushed berries that cracked during transportation (or simply overripe). A characteristic berry note will appear in the drink, which cannot be felt in the usual wine from the neighboring supermarket. From the “fermented” blueberries, you can make amazing kvass.
Blueberry recipes
Breakfast with oatmeal, blueberries, coconut and dark chocolate
We need:
- oatmeal or oatmeal – 60 g;
- dark chocolate (70% or more cocoa) to taste;
- coconut flakes – 2 tablespoons;
- blueberries – ยฝ cup.
Preparation
Rinse the oatmeal (you do not need to rinse the flakes), place on the stove, bring water to a boil, reduce heat and stir until tender. If you are used to cooking oatmeal with milk, then use the usual amount of milk for 1 serving. Melt the dark chocolate in a water bath and leave to cool. Combine the finished ingredients in the following sequence: oatmeal, chocolate, coconut, blueberries. Stir after adding each new ingredient.
The cooking time for such oatmeal is 10 minutes. A load of healthy carbs and vitamins will keep you functioning well before lunch (or lunchtime), and chocolate will help you avoid the temptation for sweets during the day.
Green salad of turkey meat, vegetables and berries
We need:
- turkey fillet – 150 g;
- zucchini – 50 g;
- carrots – 50 g;
- onion – 10 g;
- sour green apples – 50 g;
- celery stalk – 50 g;
- lettuce leaves – 100 g;
- blueberries – 70 g;
- red currant – 50 g;
- cranberries – 50 g;
- Greek yogurt without fillers – 200 g;
- Spices to taste.
Preparation
The salad is as simple and quick to prepare as possible. This “vitamin bomb” is a great option for a snack or addition to your lunch / evening diet. If serving salad for dinner, make sure the yogurt is low in fat (5%). For the dining option, you can provide a fatty filler. Grind all ingredients, mix in a deep bowl. Olive oil can be added for more flavor. It will reveal the vegetable component of the salad and make the berry flavor more distinct and rich.
Contraindications and side effects
To limit the use of berries should be pregnant and lactating women, patients with biliary dyskinesia, ulcers, gastritis. The ban on blueberries for pregnant women is associated with the risk of developing an allergic reaction in the baby. It is best to gradually introduce the berry into the diet with the transition to complementary foods.
It is not recommended to exceed the daily consumption of forest fruits. If you do not complain about your health, then a day you can eat up to 500 grams of berries in any form.
Exceeding the daily allowance leads to symptoms that are very similar to alcohol intoxication. A person’s condition deteriorates sharply, there is nausea, vomiting, pain in the head and muscles.
Collection, preparation and storage of blueberries
The berries are harvested with a special tool – a comb. Blueberries, which have not been sold out and consumed fresh, are harvested for the winter. Harvesting starts in July and ends in September (a period of intensive growth and berry picking).
The easiest and most effective way is freezing. The berry will retain useful substances, high nutritional value and taste. The maximum shelf life of frozen blueberries is 1 year. Try to use your stocks before the next picking and preparation season. It is recommended to use conventional sliders for freezing food. Maintain a constant temperature inside the freezer and remember that thawed berries are not suitable for re-freezing.
If you don’t have a good quality freezer, you can use the soak method or two alternative methods: drying or sugaring. Prepare 0,5 L glass jars, rinse thoroughly and sterilize. In such jars, you can store preserves, jams, fruit drinks and blueberry compotes. The product is stored for about 2 years, but, again, we recommend “renewing” stocks with the arrival of the berry season.
