Blueberries are often confused with blueberries, but blueberries are a very different plant. At the same time, the beneficial properties of blueberries are several times higher than other berries, so we will discuss below its composition and use.
The chemical composition and nutritional value of blueberries
In its chemical composition, blueberries are many times richer than black currants, not to mention fellow blueberries. It is valued for its ability to strengthen the immune system, reduce fever and help improve the condition of the blood. Despite the fact that each blueberry berry is 88% water, it is possible to get from 100 grams of such berries:
- 1 g of protein;
- 8 g of carbohydrates;
- 0.5 g fat.
Did you know? After the tragedy at the Chernobyl NPP, the residents of the affected areas urged doctors to include blueberries in their diet. It was noted that blueberries helped even those who were directly present at the end to get rid of the harmful effects of radiation.
Among the vitamins that are contained in this plant are vitamins C and E, as well as practically the entire group of B. There are organic amino acids and even ash particles in berries (0.5 gram per 100 grams of the product). In addition, among all the berries, blueberries are a rich source of pectin - a substance that can reduce cholesterol levels, as well as clean the body of toxins. [O: p]
Blueberry properties
Blueberries have medicinal properties and contraindications, so you should be very careful with this berry. Even if it is shown to you to use, do not eat it in large portions, as its individual components in high concentration can play a cruel joke on your health.
Useful properties of blueberry
This plant is a storehouse of vitamins, as even blueberry leaves have beneficial properties. In the most active vegetation period of the plant, its leaves are torn off and dried, in order to later prepare healthy and fragrant tea. In addition to tea, leaves are made useful. infusionswhich are used in the treatment of colds and even to recover from gastrointestinal diseases.
Decoctions from the leaves and berries of blueberry are useful to people who have low acidity of the stomach. With regular use of this natural medicine, the appetite improves. If we talk exclusively about blueberries, then its useful properties include:
- the ability to strengthen blood vessels, which saves a person from varicose veins;
- normalization of metabolism;
- regular use of blueberry juice is a way to remove radioactive metals from the body;
- A complex of amino acids with vitamins C and E - when they get into the body together with berries, they act as antioxidants and slow down aging;
- preventing the formation of cancer cells;
- strengthening immunity, for which reason blueberries are very desirable in the seasons of beriberi (the end of winter - the beginning of spring).
Did you know? In the US, an experiment was conducted using blueberries, which in the amount of 200 grams daily included in the diet of older people. Such nutrition prevented the rapid development of senile sclerosis and improved mental performance. Even those who, due to age, could not memorize new information well, improved their performance in memorization.
Harm and contraindications to use
It is not advisable to give blueberries to children under 1.5, although for older guys, it can be the basis of the diet. Such a restriction is associated with a fairly high carbohydrate content in blueberries, which, even when breastfed, can cause diathesis. Such precautions do not apply only to pregnant women.
There are restrictions on the number of use of blueberries. In particular, if you manage to eat a half-liter jar of these berries at a time, then you are guaranteed to get a strong bloating, and possibly diarrhea. It is especially important not to overdo the treatment of blueberries for the elderly and people with diabetes, as this natural medicine can turn into a poison.
The use of blueberries in the complex treatment of diabetes
The first thing they take blueberries for is the fight against the symptoms of diabetes. Its main property is ability to reduce the amount of sugar in the bloodwhich is very important for diabetics. However, if you suffer from hypoglycemia, you, on the contrary, as much as possible to reduce the number of blueberry berries in the diet, as it can aggravate the health situation.
A decoction of leaves and twigs of blueberry bushes
This recipe can be used by absolutely all diabetics, since there are no berries in it, which means there are no carbohydrates at all. For broth 2 tbsp required l milled shoots and leaves of blueberry, 200 ml of boiling water.
Pour boiling water over blueberries, boil them for 10 minutes. After that, the broth must be infused for at least two hours to the liquid turned out to be saturated and rich in vitamins. Take this medication should be five times during the day 1 spoon in between meals.
Blueberry leaf decoction
If you have in stock only leaves this useful plant, they are in the amount of 1 tbsp. l It is necessary to pour a glass of hot water and put into a 15-minute water bath in a sealed container. After cooling at room temperature, the infusion is filtered (squeeze out the remaining leaves so that the main “juice” flows out of them). Since during the boiling the volume of the infusion decreases, after straining it is diluted with water and again brought to a boil.
A feature of this infusion is that it is stored for no more than two days, after which it is worth preparing a new one. At the same time it is important to choose a place for storage. Medicinal properties of such a decoction consist in a mild laxative effect on the body, therefore, in case of diabetes, it is taken twice during the day in half a glass.
Important! Blueberries are quite difficult to grow at home, as it does not like changes in temperature and humidity. Therefore, when growing it, it is necessary to choose a place where there are no drafts, and in order to avoid direct sunlight on the bush.
Use of blueberry juice
Blueberry juice It is also useful in diabetes, and for treatment it is necessary to add some honey. Such medicine is taken for half an hour before each meal in the amount of not more than half a glass.
Use fresh blueberries
Total 300 grams of blueberry berriesIt is recommended that a diabetic be eaten daily can significantly reduce blood sugar levels even without using any additional medications (but if the stage of diabetes is too advanced, the folk remedy will not be able to protect against seizures).
Blueberry tea
To tea Blueberry was not just tasty, but could also contribute to improving health in diabetes, in addition to a glass of blueberry berries, you should also add:
- a glass of cranberries;
- a glass of wild rose;
- 1 lemon;
- 1 apple.
Dried Blueberry Broth
If you dry blueberries in advance, they can also be used to treat diabetes. For therapeutic decoction 1 spoonful of berries must be poured into a thermos with boiling water and left for 2 hours. Obtained after straining the tea must be drunk one tablespoon three times during the day.
Dried blueberry infusion
A good way to reduce blood sugar is infusion of dry blueberries, which require only 2 tbsp. l ... They need to knead in 1 tbsp. water and hold over a water bath for 15 minutes. The resulting infusion is drunk immediately after preparation, while the berries are also no need to throw away. You can prepare the infusion daily.
Blueberry application
The simplest and most famous way to use blueberries is tea, which can be obtained from both the leaves and the berries of the plant. However, even simple tea can have medicinal properties that contribute to improving health in a variety of diseases.
Use of blueberry for treatment
Due to the huge number of useful properties of blueberries used not only for the treatment of diabetes. There are many recipes that allow you to get rid of digestive problems, heart disease and reduce the body's defenses.
- Blueberry treatment for dysentery. For this purpose it is necessary to use dried berries, which in the amount of 1 tbsp. l pour a glass of boiling water. After blueberries infusion for 15 minutes, the resulting infusion can be used as medicine. Drink it for 1-2 tbsp. spoons 4-5 times a day.
- Treatment of heart disease. Dried shoots and leaves of blueberry are used for this purpose. Take 1 tbsp. l raw materials, pour in enameled dishes and pour a glass of boiling water. Put it all in a water bath and hold for 15 minutes. After this, the infusion should cool at room temperature, it must be drained. It is taken in heart disease one tablespoon six times a day.
- Treatment of avitaminosis with blueberries. To get a multivitamin remedy to recover from poisoning or vitamin deficiency, a glass of dried blueberry berries is poured with a liter of boiling water in a thermos and infused for two hours. After that, it is necessary to take an infusion of one tablespoon every two hours.
Important! Blueberries have beneficial properties for children, so all recipes can also be used to treat them (but only for children over 1.5 years old). Children blueberries can deal with allergic reactions.
Culinary Blueberry
Most actively blueberries are used for culinary purposes. Like any other berry, it is used to make delicious cakes, stewed fruit, and jams. It is very important for this to pick berries only at the onset of full maturity, otherwise they may be too acidic and, when consumed, will give practically no benefit.
Without a doubt, this plant deserves to be planted in every summer cottage. Especially since today you can buy a lot of garden varieties, giving abundant crops. This is especially true for diabetics who can, with the help of blueberry, cheaply and harmlessly reduce blood sugar.
