Blueberry The Super Food For A Healthy
Life
The Blueberry may be known as a
native of North America, but can be found on nearly every continent.
Only until the early years of the 20th century were they cultivated, and then in 1916 they were made
available to the commercial market to meet demands. It is considered by many as a “Super-food” that has
been on the top 10 list of nutritionist for many years. The wild blueberry (a smaller blueberry) is still
known as the best, most likely found in northern pine forests, and along
hillsides.
The blueberry
starts out white, then reddish-purple, and finally turns an indigo blue in color upon ripening. It has
become popular plant to grow in home gardens, in a sunny location. It comes in a large variety of
flowering and fruiting shrubs. There are basically three best known types: highbush, rabbiteye, and
southern
highbush.
How To Grow Your
Own Blueberry Garden
To grow the blueberry only requires a small
raised area with a very acidic soil growing area, or grown in containers. For the best plant growth, you
should place 2” (5 cm) to 4” (10 cm) of mulch to conserve moisture around the roots, such as compost, grass
clippings, etc. They have been known some what as self-fertile, providing you with the opportunity of a
larger harvest, and larger berries by planting one or more of an estimated 30 different varieties, this can
also extend the harvest season.
Pruning plants properly is
critical in maintaining good plant size, shape, and productivity. For you to experience the sweetest blueberry,
allow it to remain on the plant for minimum of 7 days after turning blue. Once they ripen fully and their
initial roughness has disappeared, they are ready to eat fresh. They should be at their peak condition
when first harvested in season from May through October.
How To Enjoy Berryberry Nutrition At Its
Best
In today’s world, the
blueberry has become a very popular fruit for blending with other foods that can be enjoyed by everyone in
the family. They have become a welcomed addition to several
blueberry favorites when added to muffins, pie, breads, pancakes, and topping on ice cream. They can also be
processed with sugar syrup to make delicious jams and jellies. They mix well with a many types of healthy foods
and flavors, and appreciated for their sweet-tart taste and spicy aroma. Also, a great food supplement for a
healthy diet, mainly, due to the fact that they are nutritious, having very high fiber content,
naturally very low in calories, saturated fat, cholesterol and sodium, and needless to mention, they are
delicious.
Blueberries are available
purchased canned, dried and frozen. When dried or frozen, they contain only few less nutrients than a fresh
blueberry. The fact is whether both fresh and dried or even frozen, the high level of antioxidants remains
virtually equal. One half cup of berries contains as many antioxidants as four servings of other fruits and
vegetables.
Blueberry Health
Benefits
It's an excellent source for
naturally lower risk factors of various cancers, and also improve your memory. Other Benefits:
- Slows
Aging Process: It is suggested that possibly the presents of high antioxidant
activity plays a significant role in slowing down the aging process. The antioxidants help in reducing the damage caused by the free
radicals. They have been shown as a possible cause for body aging.
- Prevention of
Disease: Responsible for heart health in the reduction of "bad" cholesterol
build up that is associated with cardiovascular disease and stroke. The active ingredient is believed to
be Antioxidants.
- Urinary Tract Infections
Prevention: One of the important benefits is its ability to stop urinary tract
infections. These Infections take place due primarily to the growth of E. coli and other known bacteria
near the inner wall of the urinary tract. When passing urine you may experience inflammation or burning
sensation, this problem is brought on as a result of urinary tract infection
- Improves
Eyesight: Factor in on the
reduction of eye problems such as macular degeneration, hypermetropia, myopia and cataract. The make up of
vitamins (C,E,A), flavonoids and carotenoids results into the maintenance of ocular
health.
- mprovement in
Digestion: Improves the digestion through
their presence of copper, sodium, various acids, fructose and vitamins. They have tannins that are
astringents to the digestive system and reduce inflammation. The presence of soluble fiber can absorb 10 to
15 times its own weight in water, drawing fluid into the intestines and therefore increasing bowel
movements, relieving the problem of constipation.
- Immunity
Boost: The high level vitamins (A,B,C
& E), and anthocyanin help in building the immunity, which is one of the most important blueberry
benefits. Studies show that they are able to help the efficiency of vitamin C as major
contributor to the immune system. This will result in slowing down inflammation activity and up grade
immune system activity.
- Prevention of Brain
Disorders: Contains vitamins (A,C,E &
B), anthocyanin, sodium, potassium, zinc, phosphorus, magnesium, manganese, etc. These elements help in
safeguarding the brain from neurotic confusion by the avoiding the deterioration of brain cells and
neurons. With the help, they are a possible cure of Alzheimer disease and maintaining health of the central
nervous system can be achieved.
- Cancer
Cure: Have proven valuable for cancer
patients, for they certain blends like Pterostilbene, a treatment for colon and liver cancer and Ellagic
Acid, together with Anthocyanin and other anti oxidants like vitamin-C and copper, can do wonders to avoid
and perhaps cure America’s number one killer…cancer.
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