Why You Should Eat Blueberries

Photo by By Jim Clark, CC-BY-2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0), via Wikimedia Commons

The blueberry, biologically classified as Vaccinium myrtillus, is a shrub that has deep blue colored berries known as blueberries. The indigenous source of the blueberry plant is North America. Its name is derived from its deep blue (indigo) fruits which happen to have numerous health benefits. This article offers an analysis into blueberries and offers you various reasons why you should eat blueberries. Read on to learn more...

NUTRITIONAL VALUE OF BLUEBERRIES

Blueberries are loaded with loads of nutritional value. The dark blue color of the blueberries is actually an indication of the nmerous antioxidants and minerals that are present in the blueberry. These are listed below.

• ANTIOXIDANTS :  

These are compounds which are vital to the immune system. They help the body fight disease mainly by preventing oxidation and also by repairing stress that has resulted from oxidation. Oxidation is a normal process in the body. However, oxidation destroys cells and some of these cells turn into free radicals. Free radicals are dangerous to the body and are known to cause cancer, and various other conditions such as Alzheimer's disease, Heart disease and Parkinson's Disease.

The Blueberry has the highest number of antioxidants with a cup of organic blue berries having over 13000 antioxidants. Commercially grown blueberries have a lower number of antioxidants, just over 9000.

The antioxidants commonly found in blueberries include: Vitamins e.g A, C, E and K, and flavonoids e.g quercetin and anthocyanidin.

• MANGANESE : 

Manganese is an element which is essential in growth and development. It helps in the development of bones ensuring they are strong and healthy. It also plays a vital role in the metabolism of foods such as proteins, fats, and carbohydrates. In light of this, manganese plays a significant role in weight loss and also in prevention of osteoporosis.
Blueberries have a significant quantity of manganese.

•  HIGH FIBER CONTENT :

Blueberries have quite a high fiber content. Fiber is essential to the process of digestion and it helps prevent constipation. In addition, it lowers the amount of cholesterol in the body making it an important factor in weight management.

• The table below is a summary of the nutritional value of blueberries per 100 g of the fruit. 

HEALTH BENEFITS OF BLUEBERRIES

Given its rich nutritional value, the blueberry is of great importance to our health and it comes loaded with benefits. Below are some of the health benefits of blueberries.

• Anti-aging and longevity

The rich antioxidant content in blueberries makes it an excellent choice as an anti-aging substance. Compared to other known anti-aging foods such as tomatoes, broccoli and sweet potatoes, the blue berry comes on top in terms of anti-oxidant content.

•  Prevention of Urinary Tract Infections

Blueberries contain chemical compounds known proanthocyanidins which help in the prevention of Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs). Proanthocyanidins inhibit bacteria from attaching and adhering to the walls of  the bladder. This ensures that the bacteria are eliminated promptly through the process of urination.
However, proanthocyanidins cannot kill bacteria directly.

• Prevention of Hemorrhoids 

Blueberries also play a vital role in the prevention and treatment of hemorrhoids. Due to their high fiber content, blueberries help in the digestion by reducing constipation. This in turn helps to prevent and/or to cure hemorrhoids.

• Blueberries Lower the Risk of  Contracting Glaucoma

Glaucoma is a condition that affects the eye and may lead to blindness if not detected in its early stages. The antioxidants in blueberry can lower the risk of developing glaucoma. These antioxidants increase the tissue permeability and they also improve fluid pressures in the eye. 

• Other diseases and conditions that can be prevented by blueberries include:

Cataracts, Varicose veins, Labor pains, Sore throat, Fever, and multiple sclerosis.

USES OF BLUEBERRIES

Apart from its numerous health benefits, blueberries also have other uses. These include:

• In MRI scans, blueberries are used as contrast agents. Contrast agents ensure a distinction in various parts of a MRI scan.
• Blueberries are used widely at home and in industry to produce a wide range of products such as jams, juices, pies, and jellies.

Preparation of Blueberry Jam
Photo By Jim Clark [CC-BY-2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

CONCLUSION:
I hope this article was of benefit to you. If so, please leave a comment.If not then also leave a comment with your feedback. Thank you for reading. I have given links below to more of my work.

REFERENCES

Wikipedia. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blueberry. 25.12.2012

Leah DiPlacido. Blueberries and Urinary Tract Infections. Livestrong.com. Web. 25-12-2012

University of Maryland Madical Center. http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/glaucoma-000069.htm.

LINKS TO MORE OF MY WORK

• Understanding Hemorrhoids
• Breast Cancer Hormone Therapy Drugs
• Dangers of Grapefruit