Contents
Useful properties and contraindications of blueberries will be interesting to know for all lovers of delicious berries. Blueberries are valued not only for their taste, but also for their beneficial effects on the body.
Composition and nutritional value of blueberries
Blueberries are very small, but they contain a lot of useful substances necessary for the healthy functioning of the body. In particular, the product contains:
- iron and phosphorus;
- malic and benzoic acids;
- magnesium and calcium;
- oxalic and acetic acids;
- a full range of essential and more than a dozen non-essential amino acids;
- cellulose;
- sodium and potassium;
- copper;
- tannins;
- essential oils useful for the body.
Blueberries also contain natural flavonoids and antioxidants that have a powerful regenerating and renewing effect.
The content of vitamins in blueberries
The vitamin composition of the product deserves special consideration. It contains:
- vitamins from subgroup B – from B1 to B6;
- vitamins A and E, important for skin health;
- nicotinic acid PP;
- fairly rare vitamins H and K.
Contains the product and ascorbic acid, which has powerful anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties. Therefore, eating berries is especially useful for strengthening the immune system.
How many calories in blueberries
Juicy berries have a very low nutritional value. 100 g of fresh fruit contains only 40 kcal, and it is absolutely impossible to get better on berries.
Glycemic index and BJU content in blueberries
KBJU blueberries are distributed rather unevenly. Most of the total volume of berries is occupied by carbohydrates, they contain about 6,6 g in the fruits. Berries also contain 1 g of proteins and 0,5 fats, and over 85 g of the fruit is occupied by water, which gives blueberries juiciness.
As for the glycemic index of berries, it is 36 units. The use of the product does not lead to sharp fluctuations in blood glucose and is quite safe even for people with high sugar levels.
What does blueberry taste like
In taste, as well as in appearance, blueberries are very similar to blueberries – they are also sweet and with a pronounced sourness. But there are also differences between the berries – blueberries are characterized by greater water content, and at the same time, the sweetness in it is felt much more than in blueberries.
The benefits and harms of blueberries for the body
Using the product is not only pleasant, but also very useful. Small sweet berries:
- increase immune resistance and protect the body from the development of viruses and bacterial infections;
- fight inflammation in the body and symptoms of fever;
- improve digestive processes and eliminate constipation;
- accelerate metabolism and improve the functioning of the pancreas;
- remove from the body not only toxins and toxic substances, but also traces of heavy metals;
- reduce glucose levels and help maintain healthy heart and vascular function;
- contribute to the processes of hematopoiesis;
- help the kidneys work and relieve swelling;
- improve the condition of the skin and hair.
The product has anti-cancer properties, it is useful to use it to prevent the development of malignant tumors.
Benefits of blueberries for men
For men, eating berries is useful for the prevention of ailments of the genitourinary system. The product prevents the development of prostatitis and prostate adenoma, helps to cope with inflammation. In addition, berries increase libido and help restore healthy sexual activity, which is especially true for men older than middle age.
The benefits of blueberries for a woman’s body
Blueberries bring special benefits to women, first of all, it helps to eliminate monthly cycle failures and improve hormonal levels. Berries also have a beneficial effect on the appearance of a woman – with the help of fruits, you can get rid of acne and bruises under the eyes, regulate the production of subcutaneous fat and rejuvenate the skin of the face.
Useful properties and contraindications of blueberries for women are also reflected in the nervous system. With regular use of the product, mood improves, sleep becomes stronger and emotional instability disappears.
Is it possible to blueberries during pregnancy
Blueberries during pregnancy are allowed to be added to the diet, but in limited quantities so as not to provoke digestive problems. The benefits of blueberries for pregnant women are that the berries contain a lot of calcium, which is valuable for the formation of the skeleton in the fetus, and vitamins that both the baby and the woman herself need.
Is it possible to have blueberries while breastfeeding
But during lactation, it is better to refuse to eat berries, at least in the first six months after childbirth. The product often causes allergies in infants, so it is too risky to return blueberries to the diet soon after the birth of a child.
At what age can children have blueberries
Blue berries are very useful for young children, first of all, they strengthen the immune system and saturate the body with vitamins. The beneficial properties of blueberries for children are that the fruits protect children’s eyesight from diseases and strengthen tooth enamel, and contribute to good concentration.
For the first time, blueberries can be offered to children upon reaching 2-3 years and in small portions, at first just a few berries. The product often causes allergies, so you need to make sure that the child does not have intolerance to berries. In addition, in large quantities, berries can cause diarrhea and other digestive disorders.
Benefits of blueberries for the elderly
It is especially recommended to include bluish berries in the diet of the elderly. The product contains a lot of valuable vitamins and mineral salts and has several beneficial effects:
- strengthens the heart and blood vessels;
- serves as a choleretic and diuretic;
- has anti-sclerotic properties;
- regulates blood pressure and sugar levels.
Also, in old age, people are especially prone to constipation and metabolic disorders. Blueberries can solve these problems, as it promotes healthy digestion and the rapid removal of toxins from the tissues.
Useful properties of garden and forest blueberries for the body
The product benefits the entire body, but some of its properties deserve special consideration. It is due to them that the berry is so valued in the diet of adults and children.
Why blueberries are good for vision
The product contains a large amount of vitamin A, so it is very useful to use it for the prevention of cataracts, glaucoma and myopia. The berry protects the eyes from the development of ailments, helps maintain good vision, and prevents the development of irritation and inflammation of the eyes. Eating fruits is especially recommended for frequent reading and many hours of staying at the computer.
Blueberry strengthens or weakens
The effect of the product on digestion depends on the form in which the berry is consumed. Dried blueberries and decoctions based on it contain an increased amount of tannins, so with the help of a berry you can stop diarrhea and cope with gastric disorders.
At the same time, there are fewer tannins in fresh berries, their astringent properties are much lower, but there are many organic acids. Unprocessed fruits can be taken for constipation, in which case they will have a laxative effect.
Blueberries raise or lower blood pressure
The product lowers blood pressure, therefore it is especially useful for people suffering from hypertension. True, a berry cannot serve as a full-fledged strong medicine, if the pressure jumps often and very high, it would be wiser to resort to pharmacological preparations. But with slight fluctuations, blueberries from pressure help very well, you can eat it both to alleviate the condition and for prevention purposes.
Is it possible to have blueberries with diabetes
Since the glycemic index of the berry is low, it can be consumed with diabetes. The product will help prevent the development of complications associated with the disease – it will protect the pancreas from ailments, strengthen the heart and blood vessels, and prevent obesity.
In this case, it is necessary to observe the correct dosage of the product. The daily dose of berries should not exceed 300 g. And it is best to use blueberries in a fresh, unprocessed form, this is how it retains the maximum amount of nutrients in its composition.
With pancreatitis
Useful properties and contraindications of wild blueberries during an exacerbation of the disease turn into a negative side. It is forbidden to eat the product, blue berries, like any other, contain too many organic acids that only irritate the diseased organ. The use of the product in case of acute inflammation of the pancreas will only lead to nausea, pain, diarrhea and severe complications.
But during the remission period, eating blue berries is very useful, they will improve the production of digestive enzymes and help prevent another exacerbation. It is best to cook jelly, compotes and jelly based on blueberries. You can also use fresh berries – no more than 3 small spoons a day, so as not to harm the body.
With bronchitis
Juicy blueberries contain a large amount of ascorbic acid and therefore are a good cold remedy. Taking berries is useful for lowering the temperature and activating the immune system. It is also recommended to use the product for coughs and bronchitis – the berries act as a natural mucolytic and help to thin and remove sputum from the bronchi.
For medicinal purposes, you can use fresh berries, or you can prepare decoctions and compotes based on them.
With oncology
Blueberries contain the most important vitamins, as well as flavonoids and natural antioxidants. With regular use, berries contribute to tissue renewal at the cellular level, they rejuvenate the body, improve its protective resistance, and help fight negative processes.
In oncology, berries are able to suppress the growth of malignant cells and prevent the development of tumors. Both the use of fresh berries and blueberry-based compotes will bring great benefits.
The use of blueberries
Delicious juicy blueberries are used not only for the treatment and prevention of diseases. It is used in cooking and home cosmetology, as well as on diets for weight loss, the berry helps to maintain harmony.
In cooking
Many people eat blueberries just like that, in the form of fresh berries, and enjoy their sweet taste with a slight sourness. But in cooking, the product is used much more widely; many healthy and tasty delicacies are prepared on its basis. For example, the berry is used in cooking:
- fruit drinks, compotes and kissels;
- smoothies;
- dumplings and cottage cheese;
- berry puddings and tartlets;
- cheesecakes and muffins;
- pies and pies;
- jelly and jams.
Blue berries can be added to ice cream – this will give the delicacy an unusual and very pleasant taste. Blueberry pastries and berry jam go very well with weaker teas, and go well with most fruits and with other berries. Gray berries on the table not only delight with a fresh taste, but also improve mood, and also help improve health in the autumn-winter period.
In cosmetology
Blueberries are often used for cosmetic purposes, due to their vitamin composition, they have a very positive effect on the skin when applied externally. Masks and scrubs based on berries:
- rejuvenate the skin due to the presence of antioxidants in the composition;
- have a cleansing effect and help fight acne, blackheads and blackheads;
- relieve puffiness of the face and improve color, as they remove toxins from skin cells;
- increase the elasticity of the epidermis and deeply nourish the skin of the face;
- normalize the production of subcutaneous fat and help fight the rapid contamination of pores.
Blueberries in homemade cosmetic masks go well with fermented milk products and cereals, and can be used in most popular face masks.
When losing weight
The calorie content of blueberries is not at all high, so the berry is often included in dietary dishes. The use of fruits does not lead to weight gain, but at the same time it starts active fat burning processes.
For example, during a diet, you can replace breakfast or dinner with the following dish – mix 150 g of fat-free cottage cheese with a handful of blueberries and a teaspoon of honey. A healthy dish will help satisfy your hunger, but it will not provoke fat deposits. Blueberries on a diet help maintain the right balance of vitamins and minerals in the body and not suffer from a deficiency of nutrients.
Limitations and contraindications
Useful bluish-blue berries can be harmful in certain diseases. Contraindications for the product include:
- gastric ulcer and pancreatitis in acute stages;
- gastritis with high acidity in a state of exacerbation;
- tendency to gas formation and bloating;
- individual allergy to berries;
- lactation – during breastfeeding, you should not feast on blueberries, this can harm the baby.
It is also recommended to observe small daily dosages of berries – if you eat too many tasty berries, this will lead to diarrhea. Fresh berries are not recommended to be consumed together with coffee and strong black tea, since the benefits and harms of blueberries in this case become ambiguous, and the combination can cause nausea.
Conclusion
Useful properties and contraindications of blueberries are very diverse. Although this berry cannot be considered very common, it has a beneficial effect on the human body and, with regular use, can improve the condition even with chronic ailments.