Berry Boosters

Round Gobs of Good Health.

Blueberries are one of the several American varieties of berries that have a high health value associated with them. There are hundreds of ways to consume these very popular berries, and they are excellent to eat even just as they are.

But, what most people do not know is that this delectable delicacy from America is also a powerhouse of healthy benefits. Quite an important reason to gorge on these delightful berries on a daily basis then!



Round Gobs of Good Health

Blueberries are delightful foods. Whether young or old, they are sure to put a smile across anyone's face. They have a pretty shape and color and once you lay your eyes on them, you cannot resist nibbling on them. They have been in use in several traditional recipes-who can forget the delectable bites of blueberry muffins, blueberry shortcakes and blueberry pies-in the western parts of the world for centuries, but it is only lately that significant body of research has shown that these berries have a vast amount of health benefits as well. Quite understandably, people have been looking at these berries with a whole new interest.

Most 'berry' lists rank blueberries as the second most popular berries in the world, after strawberries. It is the official berry of the Nova Scotia region in Canada. The blueberry muffin is the official muffin of Minnesota. It has been widely pictured in the media and has been the cynosure of a lot of literature attention as well. Let us take a closer look at these celebrity berries.

Blueberries-What Are They?

This berry, which derives its name due to its color, actually has a very well deserved name. The berry is actually lusciously blue at one stage in its life, though not throughout. It is pale green when it first appears, then goes through a whole gamut of colors from reddish purple to indigo. It is indigo blue during the peak of its ripened life, and this is when it is at its tasteful and healthful best as well.

The shape of the blueberry is also unique. It is completely round, with a crown at its open end. This gives it a five-point symmetry. Added to that, the berries grow in clusters. Since all the berries in a cluster won't ripen at the same time, you will usually find berries of different colors hanging in the same cluster at any given moment. This adds to their appeal. Biologically, the blueberry belongs to the genus Vaccinium, which makes it a cousin of bilberries and cranberries, which also belong to the same genus. Though there are several kinds of blueberries, some even inedible, it is the species that belong to the section Cyanococcus that are the ones that are usually found in the market.

Blueberries-Traditional Roots

Blueberries are traditional fruits of the western part of the world, most notably North America, along with some countries in Europe and Asia as well. They have always been used in preparing several items of usual cuisine in these local areas. America especially has had a great cultural association with blueberries and so have countries like England and France in Europe. Several characteristic recipes of these regions include blueberry in them. North America is the largest producer of blueberries in the world.

Blueberries-Health Benefits

* Blueberries are blue because of their very high anthocyanin content. This makes it a good antioxidant, and a capable fighter of the various free radical mechanisms that threaten to slow down the metabolic rate of the body. Regular consumption of these berries can have a great effect on improving health. However, just like any other health food, the blueberry cannot do anything by itself. It needs to be well substantiated by a healthy diet, a healthy lifestyle and a good amount of exercise.
* The blueberry is laden with several minerals apart from its high antioxidant content. This makes it a good solution for digestive ill health. Minerals such as sodium and copper make it a berry worth considering for people who suffer from digestive problems. Also, the berry has a significant amount of fiber content. This makes it a good solution for people who are prone to constipation.

* The blueberry is also a treasure-house of all the important vitamins in the body that provide a protective function, such as vitamins A, B complex, C and E. Due to this, a regular diet of blueberries acts as an immunity shot. People who consume blueberries often are less liable to fall sick often.

* Recently, there has been talk about blueberries acting as an anti-aging agent. This benefit of the blueberry, which is still being medically and scientifically looked into, is because of the fact that the berry has antioxidants that can eliminate destructive free radicals from the body. Another important ingredient that causes this benefit is vitamin C.

* Several mental health benefits are also derived by the regular consumption of blueberries. It improves brain health and a person's thinking capabilities. It also helps prevent any potential brain disorders. The berries may also be effective in improving a person's motor and sensory responses, and building their attention spans, concentration and general alertness.

* Blueberries are also known for improving visual health. This is because of the high amount of vitamin A in it in the form of its precursor, beta-carotene. Even visual defects such as short-sightedness (myopia), long-sightedness (hypermetropia) and cataract can be somewhat assayed by the regular consumption of blueberries.

* One of the unique benefits of blueberries is the prevention of urinary tract infection. It does this by eliminating the action of Escherichia coli that cause this infection. An immediate effect of blueberries is in reducing the infection symptoms and inhibition of any proliferation of E. coli.

* Recently, following trends with other popular berries, blueberries are also considered a potential cure for cancer. Certain anthocyanins present in it are presumed to have anti-carcinogenic properties. These presumptions are being tested for medical verification. If found true, blueberries could be an efficient ally in the prevention and treatment of colon and liver cancer.


Blueberries-Where to Get Them

You will find no difficulty at all in finding blueberries in most parts of the world, especially in North America and throughout Europe and even some parts of Asia. The abundance of these berries also makes them one of the cheapest berries in the world. For the large number of health benefits that they also contain, there should be no reason to keep these wonderful fruits away from the regular diet.