Blueberry is famous as a tasty snack and ingredient in many desserts, but it is also an effective nutritional and medicinal supplement. Recent reports indicate that a compound, could also help lower cholesterol. The compound, called pterostilbene , also helps regulate blood sugar and might help fight type-2 diabetes. Red Yeast Rice has been used as a food product and a medicine in China since the 9th century. Then, it was prescribed for healthy circulation, digestive disorders, and congestion of the spleen. Today, Red Yeast Rice has been found to be very effective in reducing LDL-cholesterol and triglyceride levels.Modern research shows that the settlers of old were wise to incorporate Blueberry into their diets and their medicine cabinets. Blueberry has been shown to be among the most powerful antioxidants in all of nature. This is in part due to the flavonoid, anthocyanin, which gives Blueberries their blue color. Blueberry contains anthocyanin, which has been shown to be a powerful antioxidant that has the ability to improve the strength of the capillaries in the eyes, and to improve cardiovascular health. Anthocyanin has been extensively studied for its known ability to improve eyesight and reduce eyestrain. Studies have also shown that Blueberry may reduce bad cholesterol levels, thus leading to a healthier cardiovascular system and a possible reduction in the likelihood of stroke. Blueberry also seems to reduce the occurrence of urinary tract infections. As a nutritional supplement, Blueberry is a good source of potassium, calcium, Vitamins A, C, and E, folic acid, and fiber.

Traditional Use

According to traditional herbal textbooks, a tea made from blueberry leaves was considered helpful in diabetes, urinary tract infections, and poor appetite. The berries were a prized commodity among the indigenous peoples of North America.

Active constituents

Tannins make up as much as 10% of blueberry leaves. The astringent nature of tannins likely accounts for the usefulness of blueberry leaf in treating diarrhea. The astringent effect may also be soothing for sore throats. Bilberry, blueberry’s European cousin, is used primarily for maintaining blood vessels, particularly those in the eyes. Some preliminary evidence indicates that anthocyanosides, the bioflavonoid complex common to bilberrry and blueberry may help people with diabetes, particularly if they have damage to the retina (retinopathy). However, these studies are primarily based on a standardized extract from bilberry fruit.

Dosage

A tea is prepared by combining 1 cup (250 ml) boiling water and 1-2 teaspoons (5-10 grams) of dried leaves and steeping for 15 minutes. As many as 6 cups (1,500 ml) each day may be taken for diarrhea and 3 cups (750 ml) each day for diabetes. Alternatively, 1 teaspoon (5 ml) of tincture can also be used three times per day.

Side Effects

If the tea does not significantly reduce diarrhea within two to three days, consult with a healthcare practitioner. Fresh (but not dried) berries tend to be laxative and should be avoided in cases of diarrhea.

There were no well-known drug interactions with blueberry.

Freezing Blueberries

You should not wash your blueberries before you freeze them. If you buy the berries in a pint box, simply wrap the box tightly in cellophane to make it airtight, or slip it into a resealable plastic bag (squeeze out as much air as possible). Then freeze. If you buy the berries in bulk, freeze them on a cookie sheet first and then transfer them into a freezer container. Keep frozen until ready to use.

Blueberries and Aging

In a USDA Human Nutrition Research Center laboratory, neuroscientists discovered that feeding blueberries to laboratory rats slowed age-related loss in their mental capacity, a finding that has important implications for humans.

Fed blueberry extractions-the equivalent of a human eating one cup of blueberries a day-to mice and then ran them through a series of motor skills tests.

He found that the blueberry-fed mice performed better than their control group counterparts in motor behavioral learning and memory, and he noticed an increase in exploratory behavior. When he examined their brains, he found a marked decrease in oxidative stress in two regions of the brain and better retention of signal-transmitting neurons compared with the control mice.

The compound that appears responsible for this neuron protection, anthocyanin, also gives blueberries their color and might be the key component of the blueberry’s antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Blueberries, along with other colorful fruits and vegetables, test high in their ability to subdue free radicals. These free radicals, which can damage cell membranes and DNA through a process known as oxidative stress, are blamed for many of the dysfunctions and diseases associated with aging.

Blueberries and Nutrition

Though blueberries themselves are not a cure-all, they contain a number of substances which are thought to have health benefits. These substances include, but are not limited to fructose, fiber, vitamins and antioxidants. Antioxidants thus far, seem to have the most conclusive role in the prevention/ delaying of such diseases as cancer, heart disease and the aging process however, a limited number of studies, especially long term and on human beings, are not available at this time.

  • One cup of blueberries contains 14% DV of fiber 2.41 g per 100g.
  • Blueberries are a source of vitamins, minerals, dietary fiber, phenolics, and flavonoids.
  • Blueberries are very low in fat and sodium.

Composition including the nutrient content of blueberries, flavonoids, proanthycyanins, blueberry nutrition research.

Sources: Blueberry, Peace Health

Related Posts