Blueberry or Vaccinium mytilus is a berry to a low shrub 15 to 60 cm high. Occurs mainly in open woodlands, heathlands and bogs. The plant has a very wide spread root system and multiplies through the rhizome. The plants do not like the chalky soil. The color of this blueberry can go from deep blue to purple-black and is edible.
History of the bilberry
The blueberry is native to North America, where they still exist in the wild. Since 1900 began to cultivate the berry and the best intersections were used for consumption. It was only in 1923 that the bilberry came to the Netherlands and from 1938 this plant was cultivated here in test plots. Currently, this plant has spread across Western Europe and we also find them in the wild. It was the Indians who these berries attributed medicinal properties. A blood-enhancing tea was made and the juice they used to treat colds.
Features of the blueberry
The blueberry is a berry from the same family as the cranberries. They grow on low bushes and the berries grow in clusters together. The size of the berries can vary from that of a pea to the size of a marble. The color goes from blue to brown to purple-black and is provided with a whitish-gray waxy protective layer. A diet rich in blueberries has numerous health benefits.
Health Benefits of bilberry
1. From all fruits and vegetables have bilberry highest antioxidant content.
Blueberries are very rich in anti-oxidants such as Anthocyanin, vitamin C, B complex, vitamin E , vitamin A, copper (strengthens immunity and has an anti-bacterial), selenium, zinc, iron (increases the hemoglobin in the blood and increases the oxygen content in the blood). Strengthens the immune system and prevents infections. By strengthening the immunity get colds, fever, viral and bacterial diseases and annoying no chance.
2.Blauwe blueberries reduce belly fat
A diet with the addition of bilberry would drastically reduce the content of abdominal fat. This would then indirectly, lead to a reduction of the risk of heart and blood vessel disorders and the risk of insulin-dependent diabetes .
3.Bevordert the health of the urinary tract
The blueberry contains antibacterial substances that will destroy the bacteria in the urinary tract, they bind to their molecules and thus the coils outside.
4.Blauwe blueberries and the degeneration of the eye
The high content anthocyanosis go to the aging of the eyeball, the occurrence of macular degeneration, cataracts delay and reduction of the sight. Special groups of antioxidants such as carotenoids (lutein, zeaxanthin etc.), flavonoids (such as rutin, resveratrol, quercetin, etc.), in addition to others, substances such as vitamin C, vitamin E and vitamin A, selenium, zinc, and phosphorus, are very useful and essential for the health of the eye.
5.Blue blueberry healthy brains
Anthocyanin, selenium, vitamins A, B-complex, C, and E, zinc, sodium, potassium, copper, magnesium, phosphorus, manganese, etc., going to degeneration of the brain cells occur and on which its
kidney optimize the operation and keep them healthy. It would reduce the risk of Alzheimer's disease and repair damaged brain cells.
6. Keep the heart and blood vessels healthy
The presence of high doses of anti-oxidants and the high fiber contents are going to lower the cholesterol level in the blood, to reduce the formation of plaques, and the heart and the blood vessels to keep healthy.
7. Improve Digestion
The high content of fibers going to improve the digestion and reduce the risk of constipation.
8. Bilberry and cancer
Bilberry may indeed be a boon for cancer patients. These berries contain pterostilbene (useful in the treatment of liver and colon cancer), ellagic acid, which together with Anthocyanin and other antioxidants such as vitamin C and copper, can do wonders to prevent and cure cancer. The phenolic compounds in blueberries may inhibit cancer cell growth.
