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Blueberry juice is one of the thirst-quenching drinks. Due to its composition, it is used not only in food production, but also in nutrition, cosmetology and medicine. You can prepare this drink at home – there are many recipes. Everyone can choose according to their preferences and goals.
The benefits and harms of blueberry juice
Like any other product, blueberry juice has its own advantages and disadvantages.
Benefit
The benefits of blueberry juice are due to its beneficial substances.
It is known that the composition of the product includes:
- vitamins: A, B, C, PP, E;
- trace elements: potassium, magnesium, iron, selenium, phosphorus, iodine, bromine, zinc and copper;
- antioxidants: carotenoids, flavonoids;
- organic acids: malic, oxalic, citric;
- pectins and tannins.
Such a fruit drink has more advantages than its counterparts.
Like other drinks, during the heat, blueberry juice quenches thirst well. The product helps in the prevention and treatment of various eye diseases. Regular consumption of blueberry juice helps to strengthen the immune system and reduce the risk of infectious, viral, bacterial diseases. Blueberries and products containing them contribute to the normalization of the cardiovascular system. Blueberry juice improves metabolism in the human body. It helps with diets to reduce weight and improve the external condition of the body. The drink should be used in the prevention of diseases of the genitourinary and nervous system of a person.
Harm
Despite the positive qualities, blueberry juice can be harmful in some cases.
- Excessive consumption can disrupt metabolism.
- It is impossible to exclude an allergy to the components of blueberry juice.
- The drink can be harmful for diabetics because it contains sugar in its composition.
- It is forbidden to use this liquid for people suffering from various chronic diseases of the pancreas.
It is worth considering the place where the berry grows. Using environmentally toxic blueberries to make fruit drinks can lead to cancer.
Nuances
To prepare high-quality blueberry juice, you should consider a few points.
- Choose the right berries. They should be fresh and ripe, round in shape and rich in color, odorless.
- Use only boiled water for cooking.
- Pay special attention to the dishes – they should not oxidize, so it is better not to take an aluminum container for this drink.
Before adding to the liquid, it is better to dissolve sugar in hot water.
Blueberry juice during pregnancy
Berry and products from it are useful for pregnant women.
Beneficial effect on pregnant women
Blueberry juice has a beneficial effect not only on the mother, but also on the baby himself. There are several reasons.
- Calcium in the composition can improve the structure of the bone tissue of a woman and a developing fetus. Improves appearance, reduces fatigue.
- Normalizes the work of the heart and blood vessels.
- Improves the body’s resistance.
- Normalizes the concentration of cholesterol in the blood.
- Prevents the development of anemia due to the high content of iron in blueberry juice.
- Normalizes stress resistance.
- Reduces unpleasant symptoms of pregnancy.
In addition, it prevents the development of cancer.
Negative consequences
Despite the benefits, blueberry juice has harmful properties.
- An allergic reaction and individual intolerance are possible.
- Excess calcium can lead to complications during childbirth.
- An excess amount of oxalic acid leads to the accumulation of toxic substances in a woman’s body.
Due to improper use of the product for childbirth, kidney stones and stool problems may appear.
Terms of use
You need to drink blueberry juice 3 times a day, diluted with water. Maximum per day you can drink no more than two glasses of this drink.
Blueberry juice recipes
There is a classic version of blueberry juice and several variations of this drink.
Easy blueberry juice recipe
What is needed:
- berries – 0,15 kg;
- sugar – 0,15 kg;
- water – 1 l;
- sieve, bowl, saucepan, jar.
Cooking technique:
- Prepare blueberries: sort, rinse, dry thoroughly on a paper towel.
- Rub the berries through a sieve, collecting the juice in a bowl.
- Put the berry mass to cook over high heat until boiling, then reduce the heat.
- Cook for 10 more minutes.
- Strain the solution through cheesecloth.
- Add sand and mix.
Sterilize the jars, put the berry mixture in them. Close tightly with lids.
Spicy blueberry juice
There are 2 cooking options.
1 way
The following components will be required:
- berries – 0,3 kg;
- sugar or honey – to taste;
- water – 1,5 l;
- lemon – 1 piece;
- apples – 2 pieces;
- pot, jar.
Equipment:
- Prepare blueberries: sort, rinse, dry thoroughly on a paper towel.
- Put the water to boil, add freshly squeezed lemon juice.
- Add blueberries – bring to a boil. Add apples and cook until completely softened. Turn off the gas.
- Dissolve sweets in liquid.
Put the contents of the pan into sterilized jars and close.
2 way
What is needed:
- berries – 0,3 kg;
- sugar or honey – to taste;
- water – 1,5 l;
- cinnamon – 1 piece;
- star anise – 2 pieces;
- pot, jar.
Equipment:
- Prepare the berries: sort, rinse, dry thoroughly on a paper towel.
- Put the water to boil, add spices there.
- Add blueberries – bring to a boil. Turn off the gas.
- Dissolve sweets in liquid.
Put the contents of the pan into sterilized jars and close.
With lemon juice and zest
What is needed:
- berries – 0,11 kg;
- sugar or honey – 0,22 kg;
- water – 0,44 l;
- lemon – 6 pieces;
- capacity.
Equipment:
- Prepare blueberries: sort, rinse, dry thoroughly on a towel.
- Peel the lemons, squeeze the juice, cut the zest.
- Pour water into the container. Add lemon zest and juice, sprinkle with sugar. Mix.
- Grind the berries in a puree and add it to the container.
Mix. Close, clean in the cold, and then in a dark place.
Terms and conditions of storage
The shelf life depends on the conditions of keeping and production of the product.
Purchased fruit drinks can be stored for up to three months, and opened packaging – no more than a day! At the same time, the composition should contain at least 15% of berry juice from the total volume of liquid. It can be frozen in the freezer, but within 3 hours, and later it must be transferred to the refrigerator.
Homemade blueberry juice should be placed in a dark, cool place (the temperature should be below room temperature) or in the refrigerator. Shelf life is short – up to 3 days. To increase the shelf life, you can remove the product in the freezer. You should know that you can not re-freeze the drink.
Permissible room humidity – 60-70%.
Conclusion
Blueberry juice is easy to prepare. The difficulty arises in proper storage. Observe the temperature and humidity in the room. This drink is suitable for any appetizers and desserts. And for the New Year’s table, it can be mixed with champagne or wine.