The Nutritional Health Benefits of Blue Berries

The Health Benefits of Blueberries

Blueberries are tasty and delicious little blue fruits that can grow wild or be cultivated. Blueberries are actually one of the few fruits that are native to North America. They have been used for many years by Native Americans either fresh or dried. Blueberries are a delicious summer time treat with many versatile uses. The sweet blue gems can be eaten raw or baked in pies, cakes or other desserts. Blueberries also taste great in pancakes, muffins and  yogurt. When dried, blueberries taste wonderful in soups and stews. They can also be crushed into a powder to make a rub perfect for flavoring meats.

Facts About Blueberries

Blueberries are mostly grown in the United States and Canada. When ripe they are dark in color with a thin, smooth outer skin.  They have tiny seed in side of the fruit, but these are perfectly safe to eat and do not need to be removed. There are many different varieties of blueberries and they all differ slightly in taste, size and texture.  

Blueberries can grow on low bushes or in fields. They are harvested by picking the berries off of the bushes or by raking the fields. Wild blueberries can be found throughout much of the Eastern United States and Canada. The wild blueberries are much smaller and sweeter than their cultivated cousins.

The blueberry is the second most popular fruit in the United States and is the state fruit of New Jersey. Every year more than 200 million pounds of blueberries are grown in North America. That would cover a four lane stretch of highway all the way from New York to Chicago. Blueberries are very popular and more and more products are being introduced to the market each year that contain blueberries.

Blueberries are related to the flowers azaleas, camellias, heathers and rhododendron. Blueberries must be allowed to ripen on the bushes. Unlike other fruits, once blueberries are picked they will not continue to ripen.

When selecting blueberries look for fruits that are firm and completely blue. There should not be any red or white on the berries. Blueberries should be kept in an open container in the refrigerator. Blueberries are very perishable and should not be washed until they are ready to be eaten.  If picked fresh and stored properly they should last about two weeks.

Blueberries freeze beautifully and easily retain their color and flavor. Blueberries can also be canned whole to preserve them or made into delicious jellies or jams.

Blueberry Health Benefits

Blueberries are very nutritious. One cup of the sweet fruit contains only eighty calories and has five grams of fiber. Blueberries are also high in Vitamin C and are full of disease fighting antioxidants.

The antioxidants that are found in blueberries are said to help reduce heart disease and cancer. They also may reduce the number of occurrences of urinary tract infections. The blueberry also contains high levels of anthocyanins which help to slow the aging process, protect the heart and prevent mental decline.

The best way to get the most nutritional value out of eating blueberries is to eat them whole and raw. This is because the concentration of the seeds inside the blueberry contains a number of polyphenols which have cancer preventative properties. Blueberries also contain salicylic acid which is used to make aspirin. For this reason blueberries can also prevent heart attacks and reduce the amount of swelling and inflammation in the blood vessels.

The nutritional benefits of blueberries does not end with helping to fight cancer. Blueberries also can help to lower cholesterol levels and help with abdominal problems. A diet high in fruits and vegetables is a sure way to shed unwanted pounds and maintain a healthy weight, so blueberries can also help to prevent unwanted weight gain.

Blueberries are high in fiber which helps with digestive health and keeps people feeling fuller for longer which should reduce the amount of snacking and mindless eating.