Blueberries - berries and leaves: benefits and harms, healing properties, vitamins and trace elements. Blueberries and blueberries: what's the difference, which is better? Blueberries: useful properties and contraindications for children, women, men, during pregnancy and breastfeeding

Blueberries are a berry that fed and watered our Slavic ancestors. It is unpretentious and can grow even in swamps. Her close acquaintance with the Russians is evidenced by how many names they gave to this berry: water drink, cabbage roll, blue grapes, fool, gonoboy, drunken berry, titmouse.

These names do not indicate a special dislike for blueberries: it’s just that wild rosemary often grows next to it, the leaves of which, once in a basket of berries, can cause poisoning, and their intoxicating aroma will intoxicate. Now blueberries are rather a delicacy for us with a mild taste and useful properties that not everyone knows about.

Compound

The chemical composition of blueberries is very rich, its berries are a source of valuable biologically active substances.

Raw berries contain vitamins: B1 (thiamine), B2 (riboflavin), vitamin PP (niacin), vitamin E (tocopherol). Blueberries are especially rich in vitamin C, or ascorbic acid: 20 mg per 100 g of product. Also in blueberries found a significant amount of vitamin K1, or phyllochionine, which is involved in the blood coagulation system.

The macronutrients that make up blueberries are phosphorus, magnesium, and sodium. The blue berry is rich in potassium: 59 mg per 100 g.

Of the trace elements, blueberries can “boast” of iron content, which, although it is contained here in small quantities, is almost completely absorbed in the human body.

Of particular importance are the phenolic compounds present in the berry. These are physiologically active substances that strengthen capillaries and retain ascorbic acid in the body, thus saving its consumption.

In addition to ascorbic, blueberries also contain other valuable acids: nicotinic, citric, acetic, malic, benzoic, oxalic.

The swamp blueberry has the highest pectin content of all forest berry plants. The value of pectin substances lies in the fact that they are able to remove radioactive metals from the human body, which include strontium and cobalt.

Almost all the substances that are contained in the berries are also found in the leaves of the plant.

blueberry calories

The calorie content of blueberries is quite low: 35-39 kcal per 100 g of product. That is, if we eat a large glass of berries (250 g), we will get a little more than 100 kcal.

There is a lot of water in blueberries - almost 90%. There is a small amount of proteins and fats. Carbohydrates are represented by mono- and disaccharides. There are extremely useful dietary fiber and ash.

Beneficial features

Blueberries are extremely beneficial for health, this was well known to the northern peoples, who lovingly nicknamed her “tender berry”. She is very juicy and sweet. But they love it not only for its excellent taste. Blueberries can be a therapeutic and prophylactic agent in the treatment of many ailments.

• Northerners have long used blueberries as an antiscorbutic and treated fever with its colorless juice.
• Frozen berries retain vitamin C well and can serve as its natural storage in the Far North.
• American scientists from Tufts University, studying this berry, came to the conclusion that it can slow down the aging of the brain and can protect it from the effects of harmful radiation exposure.

Blueberries in medicine

Shamans, as the first, and in ancient times the only physicians, have long included blueberries in their arsenal of remedies. And not only the berry itself, but also its leaves. Teas were brewed from dried berries for diarrhea and bladder diseases. The Nenets used a decoction of the leaves as an expectorant.

Modern scientists have found that the anthocyanins contained in the fruits and coloring them blue not only prevent the weakening of memory, but are also able to restore the mnemonic function after it has been weakened.

Blueberry is an excellent prophylactic, it prevents the development of many diseases: oncological and cardiovascular diseases, Alzheimer's disease.

Blueberry juice normalizes metabolism and relieves cold symptoms. Fresh berry is useful for rheumatism and the treatment of atherosclerosis. With prolonged use, blueberries have a beneficial effect on weakened visual functions due to the carotenoids contained in it.

Berry infusion is used for gastritis and enterocolitis. This delicious medicine strengthens the immune system and supplies the body with vitamins, so it is well suited for children, the elderly and people weakened due to illness. The blue berry not only prevents the onset of diabetes, but also enhances the effect of sugar-lowering drugs.

It does not cause allergies at all, but you need to know that you should not eat blueberries in large quantities, as after that headache, nausea and vomiting may occur. In addition, a huge amount of antioxidants can also be harmful by reducing the supply of oxygen to the muscles and disrupting their function. Biliary dyskinesia is also a contraindication to the use of blueberries.

Blueberries in cosmetology

The fact that blueberries are a natural pantry of vitamins already allows using them in cosmetology as a product that maintains beauty and preserves youth.

Today, cosmetic concerns use blueberry extract in the formulations of creams, serums, lotions, which contains flavonoids in large quantities. These herbal ingredients not only absorb UV rays, but also protect the skin from the harmful effects of free radicals.

They also whiten and cleanse the face. Also, with the help of the extract, you can solve problems with damaged, inflamed, oily skin. In addition, a wonderful berry extract strengthens the epidermis, restores collagen fibers and has a light peeling effect.

At home, you can make a simple mask by mixing blueberry juice, sour cream and cottage cheese in equal amounts. After 20 minutes, the mask is washed off with warm water. For oily skin and acne, it is recommended to simply wipe the face with juice. And with dry skin, you can make a moisturizing mask by adding 3-4 drops of olive oil to blueberry juice.

Fresh leaves of the shrub also nourish the skin, tighten pores, and have an anti-inflammatory effect.

Blueberries for weight loss

Blueberries and juice from its berries are dietary products. Surprisingly, the Americans began to study the dietary properties of this, it would seem, primordially Russian berry. They, as usual, took ordinary mice and began to feed them blue yummy. At the same time, the breakdown of fats in their mouse body was monitored.

Scientists have concluded that the polyphenols found in blueberries can reduce the number of fat cells by about 70-75%. Moreover, the berry prevents the formation of new fat cells.

Of course, experiments still need to be confirmed in humans and find out the correct dosage. But you can already be sure that by simply including blueberries in your diet and not exhausting yourself with many hours of aerobics, we begin to lose weight.

It is useful for weight loss to drink blueberry tea instead of juices and milk drinks. Tea requires 2 teaspoons of berries or berries along with leaves, they need to be poured - attention! - cold water (250 g). Leave overnight and strain. Then the drink should only be heated to an acceptable temperature.

Blueberries in cooking

Blueberries are good in all forms. Eating a fresh juicy berry is a pleasure. But it is equally good in the form of jam, jam, compote.

Lovers of healthy sweets and drinks can recommend berry marshmallow, jelly, kvass or mousse.

Those who prefer hot drinks can experiment with making blueberry liqueurs, wines and liqueurs.

Housewives are happy to cook blueberry pies. Both fresh and canned berries are suitable for baking. For canning, nothing is required except the berries themselves and granulated sugar. Ripe blueberries are kneaded and sprinkled with sugar, and then laid out in jars and pasteurized for about 5 minutes.

Fresh berries can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 12 days, and in the freezer for up to a year.

Good to know

There are interesting facts about the blue berry that few people know.

• This inconspicuous plant can live for almost a hundred years.
• Bushes of cultivated berries can reach a height of almost 3 meters.
• Indigenous peoples of the North kept blueberries in birch bark boxes, filled with fish oil and buried in moss.
• "Bad" nicknames were given to the berry in the European part of Russia; in the North and Siberia, where products were traditionally valued because of the difficult way they were obtained, the berry was respected and not called names in any way.
• The blueberry is the official state flower of New Jersey.
• Blueberries are included in the Red Books of Moscow and a number of regions of the Russian Federation.

Especially for - Veronika Malova

" Blueberry

What is not discussed on women's forums - Goji berries, pineapple, jojoba ... In terms of frequency of mention, blueberries are far from the first lines of the rating.

An undeservedly forgotten berry is often confused with blueberries. Outwardly, they are similar, but blueberries are larger and their flesh is green.. Another plus of blueberries is that its berries do not color your mouth, you can eat without fear of showing up afterwards with blue teeth and lips. Let's talk in more detail about the beneficial properties and contraindications of blueberries.

The nutritional value of 100 grams of blueberries is:

• proteins - 1 gram,
• fats - 0.5 grams,
• carbohydrates - 6.6 grams.

Such a quite decent sugar content is combined with a low calorie content of berries.: 100 grams of blueberries is only 39 calories. And the list of all useful components rightfully puts blueberries in the list of not only dietary, but also medicinal products.

The berry is delicious, consists of 90% water, and the remaining 10% is pure good.: vitamins (A, C, PP, B1, B2, K), micro and macro elements (Fe, P, Ca, M and K), citric, acetic, malic, nicotinic, oxalic acids, fiber, pectins, carotene, tannins compounds, antioxidants...

Almost all of these substances are found in the leaves.

It is known that all purple fruits and berries contain anthocyanins, which inhibit the growth of cancer cells. So in blueberries there are 4 times more of them - 1600 mg of anthocyanins - against 400 mg / 100g in blueberries.

Useful properties of berries for the human body

This composition has anti-cancer properties and increases the ability of cells to regenerate. Regular consumption of at least a glass of berries helps to increase the production of natural collagen by 2 times. There is even a special anti-wrinkle lifting program based on a wild blueberry diet.

At 39 calories per 100 grams of berries, blueberries are indispensable in diets with severe calorie restriction.. Carotene, which affects the formation of a beautiful tan, the human body absorbs almost completely from blueberries, which cannot be said about carotene from traditional carrots.

But in addition to the cosmetic effect, the formed collagen increases the elasticity of the walls of blood vessels and the overall blood flow, which contributes to the oxygenation of all cells of the body. The use of blueberries not only allows you to look good, but also significantly reduce the possibility of a heart attack and other heart diseases.

Useful properties are not only berries. A decoction of the leaves is not only used as a mild laxative, but also to bring the level of sugar, it is useful for anemia and diseases of the cardiovascular system.

Active influence on the nutrition of brain tissues and the vascular system, improves memory and memorization processes. There is evidence that its use can slow down the progressive development of senile dementia - Alzheimer's disease. And if you drink fresh juice, age-related memory loss will not develop at all..

In diseases of the internal organs, pureed berries are very useful. Eating blueberries for cystitis, gastritis, enterocolitis is advised not only by nutritionists. The only thing you should definitely pay attention to is with low acidity, consumption of blueberries in large quantities is undesirable: it is naturally endowed with a high content of natural organic acids.

Sour drinking is indicated for colds, exacerbation of kidney diseases. Blueberry-based drinks are far superior in this quality not only to imported lemons, but also to traditional cranberries.

Harm from blueberries and contraindications for use

You don't have to eat blueberries anyway. This is not about allergies at all - an excess of antioxidants can be harmful to health, as it reduces the amount of oxygen entering the muscles.

There is another important aspect - blueberries increase blood clotting. This means that its use must be limited to cardiovascular patients who are forced to take drugs to reduce blood viscosity (with the risk of strokes and heart attacks).

Gastroenterologist patients with low acidity Blueberries should also not be abused due to the high content of organic acids.

Pregnant women and nursing mothers it is necessary to consult a doctor in any case, even in the absence of any painful symptoms.

The use of blueberries in folk medicine

Since ancient times, folk medicine has successfully used the properties of blueberries to treat various diseases of men and women.

To normalize bowel function they used either a decoction of the leaves (has a laxative effect), or an infusion of berries (a fastening effect is manifested if the berries are crushed and poured with boiling water for 15 minutes).

How to prepare a decoction

2 tablespoons dry or fresh leaves pour a glass of boiling water boil 10 minutes and cool down naturally.

A sour drink from garden blueberries also contributes to the treatment of inflammation of the kidneys and urolithiasis- acid is able to dissolve small kidney stones and help cleanse the kidneys.

Teas from blueberries with honey were used to treat colds. Instead of modern pills and antibiotics, the antipyretic, anti-inflammatory, choleretic, antiscorbutic, and mild sedative effects of blueberries were used.

Modern traditional medicine in the list of diseases that are successfully treated in the initial stage by simply consuming blueberries includes non-immune diabetes mellitus, pancreatic diseases, age-related memory changes, mild cases of radiation sickness, varicose veins.

Nobody knew about thrombosis, but blueberries have been successfully used to combat low clotting with its high vitamin K content.

The use of berries during pregnancy and lactation

Regularly feasting on blueberries during pregnancy is absolutely justified. It not only contains many vitamins, but is also saturated with trace elements:

• magnesium responsible for the development of the nervous system of the baby,
• iron provides oxygen supply.

During pregnancy, it is important for a woman to receive not only enough vitamins, but also dietary fiber, peptins and antioxidants, which this berry is so rich in.

After childbirth, pediatricians also advise not to give up your favorite berry - Eating blueberries makes breastfeeding moms more relaxed(the effect of magnesium) and postpartum anemia passes faster (iron from blueberries is absorbed almost completely).

Unpleasant symptoms can also occur from the consumption of blueberries.: diarrhea, bloating, indigestion. But this will happen if you eat about 1 kilogram of berries at a time. So for a nursing mother and child, an overdose is unlikely.

A woman should gradually introduce any new foods into her diet - this is a well-known fact. Three months after giving birth, you can start eating blueberries with a few berries. If the baby does not show signs of allergy, the number of berries can be gradually increased. You just need to know the measure and be attentive to all changes in the health of the baby.

Blueberry Vitamin Recipes

Blueberry drinks are not only tasty, but also beneficial for the human body. If they are prepared correctly, most of the nutrients are preserved. What kind of berry is needed and how much, see our recipes.

You will need:

• 500 grams of blueberries,
• 100 grams of blueberries,
• 200-300 grams of sugar,
• 3 liters of water.

Cooking:

Sort the berries and rinse with running water. In an enamel bowl, crush until juice appears, adding sugar in the process. During this time, the water in the pan should boil. Transfer the berries grated with sugar to a saucepan and, stirring, bring almost to a boil.. Switch off immediately. After cooling, strain and bottle. Keep refrigerated.

You will need:

• 1.5 cups fresh or frozen blueberries
• 0.5 cups of granulated sugar,
• 1 heaping tablespoon starch
• 1/3 teaspoon citric acid
• 1 liter of water.

Cooking:

• The berries are ground through a fine sieve - pomace and juice are obtained separately. The pomace is poured with boiling water and boiled for 5 minutes..
• Strain the broth, add sugar and bring to a boil. Throw away the squeezes.
• In a separate bowl, dilute the starch with a small amount of cold water. Pour into the boiling syrup in a thin stream with constant stirring.
• Add gently add blueberry juice and citric acid.
• Bring to a boil and immediately remove from heat.
• To prevent the formation of a film, you can sprinkle with sugar.
• Kissel is ready.

Blueberries are consumed both fresh and prepared for the winter frozen, mashed with sugar or made into jam.

Garden blueberries mashed with sugar

You will need:

• 1 kg blueberries,
• 300-400 g of sugar.

Cooking:

Mash or crush the berries with a blender, add granulated sugar and mix in an enameled bowl. Heat until sugar dissolves. Arrange in sterile jars.

To preserve the vitamin composition of puree best stored in the refrigerator. Basement storage the workpiece must be sterilized and rolled up.

Jam

Required:

• 1 kg of berries
• 4 cups sugar
• 1 glass of water.

Cooking:

• Sort blueberries, wash and dry.
• While the berries are drying, prepare the syrup.
• Berries fall asleep in syrup for 15-20 minutes.
• On low heat with constant stirring boil the mixture for 20 minutes removing foam.
• The finished jam is laid out in sterile jars, twisted and turned over.
• Banks are wrapped and left to cool completely.

Such jam is successfully stored even without a refrigerator.

Conclusion

The therapeutic effect of regular consumption of blueberries should not be exaggerated, but such a valuable gift of nature should not be neglected either.

You can be arbitrarily skeptical of traditional medicine, but the chemical composition and long-term practice of nutritionists only confirms that this berry deserves more attention.

Since ancient times, blueberries have been known to man as a wonderful gift of nature and an invaluable source of vitamins. Blueberries grow on a small shrub that belongs to the heather family. Previously, blueberries grew only in the forest, but now people have learned to grow them in the garden. Garden blueberries differ from forest blueberries in that their berries are larger and the bushes are taller than forest blueberries.

The ratio of BJU in the product

Source: depositphotos.com

How to burn 39 kcal?

Useful properties of blueberries

The blueberry is black in color with a blue tint. Blueberries ripen by the end of summer, during this period the berries become tender and soft, with the most intense taste. The blueberry is a very delicate berry, so you need to handle it especially carefully so as not to crush it.

Along with great taste, blueberries have many health benefits. So, there is a whole list of its therapeutic effects on the human body, namely:

• Diuretic;
• Antiscorbutic;
• Choleretic;
• Cardiotonic;
• Anti-inflammatory;
• Anti-sclerotic;
• Antimicrobial.

Water in the composition of blueberries is almost 90%. In addition to water, blueberries contain a lot of sugar, organic acids, vitamins, fiber, pectins, and tannins. Blueberry leaves are no less beneficial to health than its berries.

Blueberries contain a lot of useful constituents:

• mineral salts;
• Ascorbic acid;
• Lemon acid;
• A nicotinic acid;
• Apple acid;
• Acetic acid;
• Oxalic acid;
• Flavonoids;
• Provitamin and vitamin A;
• Magnesium;
• Calcium;
• Phosphorus;
• Iron (a little);
• Carotene;
• Flavonoids;
• B vitamins;
• Vitamins K, P and PP.

Blueberry juice is recognized throughout the world as perhaps the most valuable in terms of vitamin content and antioxidant properties. No other fruit or berry has so many beneficial properties. Juice from this berry is much more beneficial for the body than pomegranate, apple or grape. Blueberries do not contain very much iron, but it is through this product that this microelement is almost completely absorbed by the human body.

Drinking only 0.3 cups of natural blueberry juice per day, you can provide your body with an average daily intake of vitamins.

Application

The beneficial properties of blueberries are widely used in traditional and folk medicine, as well as in dietetics.

So, blueberries are useful for the following health problems:

• Cardiovascular diseases;
• Diseases of the stomach;
• intestinal disorders;
• Excess blood sugar.

So what are the benefits of blueberries? Regular consumption of blueberries can normalize the function of the pancreas. This is a very important action for patients with diabetes. It is blueberries that enhance the therapeutic effect of drugs to lower blood sugar levels in patients.

Garden blueberries are extremely useful for those who have vision problems and glaucoma. By regularly eating blueberries, you can gradually restore vision and relieve eye strain.

Perhaps the main useful element of blueberries, magnesium, has a powerful sedative property and is necessary for people with diseases of the cardiovascular system. The presence of vitamins K, P and PP in blueberries can reduce the risk of developing varicose veins. Vitamin K, in addition, takes an active part in the process of blood clotting in the body. Therefore, blueberries are indicated before and after surgical operations, after childbirth, medical abortions and injuries associated with a large loss of blood.

In addition, what blueberries are useful for is that they actively protect the human body from the harmful effects of radioactive radiation, strengthen the walls of blood vessels and protect nerve cells from destruction. It is not in vain that doctors prescribe regular use of blueberries to people who live and work in harmful conditions, with unfavorable environmental conditions. In the North, peoples cannot imagine their life without this plant. They consume blueberries in large quantities to make up for the lack of vitamins in the body.

Blueberry juice, a decoction of the berries and leaves of this plant can bring down the heat. The beneficial properties of blueberries can improve metabolism and quickly restore a weakened body after serious illnesses. With problems with the intestines, blueberries allow you to establish the normal functioning of this organ.

Blueberries contain highly active antioxidants that serve as a means of preventing cancer.

In addition, the properties of blueberries are actively used in dietetics. Blueberry juice is absolutely indicated for any diet. In addition to maintaining vitamin balance, the berry is very helpful in the fight against extra pounds. Blueberries promote the breakdown of fats in the body, so it can be included in any diet. The calorie content of blueberries is only 37 kcal per 100 grams of product.

It is difficult to collect garden blueberries, and even more so, forest blueberries, so as not to damage the berries, it is no less difficult to store them properly. If the berries are damaged, juice can be squeezed out of them or rubbed with sugar and stored in a cold place. So the beneficial properties of blueberries will not change during storage. In the season, you should try to eat as many fresh berries as possible, it is during their full ripening that the content of vitamins and other useful trace elements is maximum.

For the winter, the blueberries are frozen, the leaves of the blueberries are dried. Frozen blueberries do not lose their beneficial properties, so you can store blueberries in the refrigerator all winter and spring, eating them all year round. In winter and summer, you can squeeze juice from blueberries, prepare mousses, compotes and jelly. Blueberry leaves make a fragrant and healthy tea.

Contraindications to the use of blueberries

In practice, blueberries rarely cause any side effects on the body. But just like with any product, it is not recommended to significantly exceed the reasonable amount of berries. After all, blueberries contain a lot of nutrients, which, when taken into the human body in excessive amounts, can cause various signs of intoxication. It can be nausea, vomiting, headache and weakness.

Pregnant women and those who are breastfeeding should be especially careful with the use of blueberries. In the latter case, a significant excess of the amount of the product can cause allergies and intoxication in the child.

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Blueberry is a wild berry, similar in taste to blueberries, having a pleasant aroma and taste, useful microelements, biologically active substances and properties.

General information

It has the appearance of small shrubs belonging to the heather family, it can grow both in forests and in gardens in the northern regions. At the same time, country berries are larger in contrast to wild forest ones. Blueberries bloom in early summer, and already in July you can harvest, enjoying it fresh or in any other form.

Compound

Blueberries are valuable for biologically active substances. The benefits and harms of berries as a percentage are not comparable, because. the necessary components are present in them to a greater extent.

Fresh blueberries are rich in vitamins such as thiamine, niacin, riboflavin, tocopherol, C, K1, which is involved in the process of blood clotting. Of the macroelements, it contains magnesium, phosphorus, sodium, potassium, and of the microelements - a little iron, which is completely absorbed in the body.

Phenolic compounds that blueberries contain - what are the benefits and harms of them? Of course, they are only useful, because. they strengthen capillaries and accumulate ascorbic acid in the body, saving its consumption. Berries also contain nicotinic, oxalic, malic, acetic, benzoic, citric acid. They contain a high content of pectin, which removes radioactive metals (strontium, cobalt) from the body.

Benefit

A surprisingly organic combination of trace elements, sugar, vitamins make blueberries very useful for humans. It removes toxins, salts of heavy metals and generally has a positive effect in the form of:

• improvement of digestion processes;
• regulation of the rate of blood circulation and the work of the circulatory system;
• normalization of the intestines, pancreas.

Blueberries, the benefits and harms of which are described in the article, have a moderate content of magnesium, which stabilizes the nervous system and has a sedative effect. The berry can be consumed even with diabetes, because. its components reduce blood sugar levels.

With regular and proper use, berries resist pathogenic microbes that cause colds and infectious diseases.

Everyone needs blueberries, but there are categories of people who especially need its beneficial properties.

These berries are very useful for them due to the high content of vitamin C, which strengthens their immunity and helps to avoid SARS and influenza. And if the child is already sick, the berries will help to transfer the disease faster and easier. But still, the main treatment, of course, should be carried out with antiviral drugs.

2. Vegetarians.

When meat products do not enter the human body, iron deficiency appears, convulsions, fatigue, fainting are observed. If vegetarians include blueberries in their plant-based diet, then they may not be afraid of anemia.

3. Myopic.

Blueberries are a health berry, the benefits and harms of which to some extent depend on the amount consumed. So, those suffering from myopia, with frequent use, these berries will help restore vision no worse than blueberries or carrots, and all because they contain easily digestible carotene.

4. Diabetics.

In their case, fragrant fruits will enhance the effect of sugar-lowering drugs.

5. Losing weight.

Blueberry is a low-calorie product (39 kcal), so you can enjoy its taste without thinking about your figure. Rather, on the contrary, the berry will help break down fat cells, turning them into energy.

6. Residents of the northern regions

For them, this berry is the main source of vitamins, which, among other things, helps them avoid scurvy.

Not only the blueberry itself has the necessary qualities. The health benefits and harms can be from its juice. It contains the average daily norm of vitamins, antioxidants, tannins, organic acids. Fragrant fruits slow down the aging of the brain, protecting it from radioactive effects, improve memory, attention, and normalize metabolism.

Blueberries are 80% water. Traditional medicine claims that you can use both fresh berries and juice from them.

They also use twigs and blueberry leaves. There are also benefits and harms. The foliage contains fewer trace elements valuable for the body, but this does not prevent the use of decoctions for the prevention of heart disease.

Harm

If a person suffers from cardiovascular diseases and uses drugs that thin the blood, then he should not eat blueberries. After all, it enhances blood clotting. When it is impossible to resist eating juicy berries and it is difficult to remember the number of fruits eaten, this is not very good, because an excess of antioxidants leads to a decrease in oxygen supply to the muscles, disrupting their functioning.

Blueberry, the benefits and harms of which have been proven, if consumed excessively, can lead to headaches, nausea, vomiting, and allergic reactions.

Blueberries for pregnant women

How does the berry affect expectant mothers? Doctors recommend blueberries during pregnancy. The benefits and harms of her expectant mothers need to know. As for the harm, it is minimal, but the benefits are huge. One glass of berries will satisfy a woman's need for vitamins (P, PP, B, C) for a day. With the help of berries, a decrease in hemoglobin in the blood is prevented, the appearance of varicose veins is prevented, the condition of the walls of blood vessels improves, and blood pressure decreases.

For pregnant women, the anti-inflammatory, choleretic, antiscorbutic properties of blueberries will be valuable. It can be used fresh or as a decoction of dried berries. It normalizes intestinal dysfunction in various infections (salmonellosis, dysentery), helps prevent constipation.

In general, the berry strengthens the immunity of pregnant women and keeps it in good shape, increases the body's resistance to many diseases, and helps with general weakness.

Indications, contraindications

Blueberries, the health benefits and harms of which are incomparable, have practically no contraindications. But they are still there:

• allergy;
• biliary dyskinesia;
• in pregnant women - intoxication or allergies, tk. an increased content of the active substances of the berry in the mother's blood can be dangerous for the child.

Doctors advise not to overeat berries, because. they have a laxative effect and can lead to diarrhea. And also you should not use them as food for nursing mothers, because the child may develop diathesis due to the weak protective functions of the body.

Blueberries will be useful for those suffering from beriberi and the consequences arising from it, as well as for those who live in harmful conditions.

Blueberry is a medicinal plant that contains a large amount of useful vitamins and minerals. Its fruits and leaves are used not only for the preparation of medicines and infusions, but also in cooking. Although the fruits of the shrub are used for therapeutic or prophylactic purposes, it also has a number of contraindications that you should pay attention to in order to prevent negative health effects. This article provides all the detailed information about the healing properties of blueberries, its features of use in everyday life.

Blueberry is a representative of the heather family, it is the closest relative of blueberries. A shrub grows both in forest areas and on the banks of swamps, rivers and lakes. Currently, the plant is grown in vegetable gardens or suburban areas. It is unpretentious, does not require special care, and easily tolerates severe frosts.

The main value of the shrub is the fruits of blue color with a bluish bloom. They are small in size (diameter - up to 1.2 cm), pleasant aroma and sweet taste.

Vitamin composition

Blueberries, like any other medicinal plant, contain a large amount of useful vitamins and minerals that are necessary for the normal functioning of the human body. The composition of the leaves and fruits of blueberries includes:

• multivitamin A;
• vitamins: PP, P, C, K and group B;
• trace elements (magnesium, calcium, phosphorus, iron);
• acids (citric, oxalic, malic, acetic and benzoic);
• amino acids;
• tannins;
• pectins;
• cellulose;
• substances with coloring properties;
• sugar.

Important! In blueberries, useful substances and vitamins are in greater concentration, unlike its leaves.

Medicinal properties of berries and leaves

The shrub is quite popular in folk medicine, it is used to treat various ailments and prevent them. Blueberries are used as:

• diuretic;
• choleretic;
• cardiotic;

• anti-inflammatory;
• anti-sclerotic;
• hypotensive.

Since the berries contain a concentrated composition of useful substances (especially vitamin K), their juice is used to improve vision and prevent eye diseases.

A decoction and infusion of the leaves helps to normalize the functioning of the heart, intestines and stomach, helps to lower blood sugar levels, which is very important for diabetics.

Benefits for the body

1. Berries (juice from them) help to quickly relieve tension in the eyes after a hard day's work, as well as improve vision.
2. Blueberries are recommended for use by people working with radioactive elements (substances contained in berries contribute to the rapid removal of hazardous radioactive metals from the human body).
3. Ascorbic acid has a positive effect on immunity, helps to strengthen it, which is very important after an illness.
4. A decoction of blueberry leaves is used as a mild laxative (it is recommended to drink it for people suffering from frequent constipation).
5. The enzymes found in the berries and leaves help lower blood sugar, increase the effect of drugs and repair tissues (very important for people with diabetic diseases).

Contraindications to the use of blueberries

Blueberries can only be eaten in small amounts, as the berry can cause muscle dysfunction due to the influence of antioxidants.

Main contraindications:

• pregnancy and breastfeeding (berries can cause severe allergies and intoxication of the fragile body of the baby);
• biliary dyskinesia (substances contained in the pulp of the fruit can cause an exacerbation of the disease).

The use of blueberries in cooking

Berries and blueberry leaves are used for culinary purposes. Various delicious kissels, mousses, sauces, compotes and fruit drinks, preserves and jams are prepared from them. Liqueurs and liqueurs are made from fruit juice, they have a pleasant smell and unusual taste.

The use of blueberries for medicinal purposes

1. To improve immunity, it is recommended to drink 100 ml of freshly squeezed blueberry juice daily.
2. A decoction and juice from the fruit helps to quickly get rid of fever, flu and bronchitis. Taking only 50 ml of natural medicine 3-4 times a day can alleviate the suffering of the patient.
3. The juice from the berries helps to get rid of dysentery (it strengthens the stomach after an illness, helps to restore it).
4. A decoction of leaves and berries helps to normalize sleep, relieve nervous tension.

Blueberries are a natural source of vitamins. It helps to get rid of many diseases, strengthens the immune system and improves body functions. Use berries or shrub leaves to treat or prevent various diseases, and the result will not be long in coming.