Blue Berry

About Blue Berry

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Blueberries are perennial flowering plants with indigo-colored berries in the section Cyanococcus within the genus Vaccinium (a genus that also includes cranberries and bilberries). Species in the section Cyanococcus are the most common fruits sold as "blueberries" and are native to North America (commercially cultivated highbush blueberries were not introduced into Europe until the 1930s).

They are usually erect, but sometimes prostrate shrubs varying in size from 10 centimeters (3.9 in) to 4 meters (13 ft) tall. In commercial blueberry production, smaller species are known as "lowbush blueberries" (synonymous with "wild"), and the larger species are known as "highbush blueberries".

The leaves can be either deciduous or evergreen, ovate to lanceolate, and 1–8 cm (0.39–3.1 in) long and 0.5–3.5 cm (0.20–1.4 in) broad. The flowers are bell-shaped, white, pale pink or red, sometimes tinged greenish. The fruit is a berry 5–16 millimeters (0.20–0.63 in) in diameter with a flared crown at the end; they are pale greenish at first, then reddish-purple, and finally dark blue when ripe. They have a sweet taste when mature, with variable acidity. Blueberry bushes typically bear fruit in the middle of the growing season: fruiting times are affected by local conditions such as altitude and latitude, so the height of the crop can vary from May to August depending upon these conditions.

 

The genus Vaccinium has a mostly circumpolar distribution with species in America, Europe, Asia, and Africa.

Many commercially sold species with English common names including "blueberry" are currently classified in section Cyanococcus of the genus Vaccinium and come predominantly from North America. Many North American native species of blueberries are now also commercially grown in the Southern Hemisphere in Australia, New Zealand and South American countries.

Several other wild shrubs of the genus Vaccinium also produce commonly eaten blue berries, such as the predominantly European Vaccinium myrtillus and other bilberries, that in many languages have a name that translates "blueberry" in English. See the Identification section for more information.

 

Advantage of Blue Berry

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Blueberries are the fruit of the shrub that belonging to the genus Vaccinium, which also includes cranberries and bilberries. Blueberries grow in clusters and range in size from 10 cm to 4 meters tall. This fruit come in different shades and colors, ranging from blue to dark blue to purple-black and feature a white-gray waxy “bloom” that covers the surface that serves as a protective layer.

Blueberries are popular around the world not only for their good tastes but also because they provide numerous health benefits for people. In fact, a recent study has suggested that blueberry is one of the most vital fruit for those who want to maintain their health at the highest level.

The base for all of the blueberries health benefits are in fact that they are extremely rich in Antioxidants. Antioxidants are very important to our body because they help support overall health and immune system. Here are some proven health benefits of blueberries:

Boost Immune System
 The antioxidants like vitamin A, vitamin B complex, vitamin C, vitamin E, anthocyanin, copper, iron, selenium, and zinc contain in blueberries help boost the body’s immune system so enable the body to fight against viral and bacterial infections.

Neutralize Free Radicals
 Blueberries are packed with Anthocyanin, a pigment responsible for the dark blue color of the blueberries. This powerful antioxidant help neutralize free radicals that can lead to cancer and other age-related diseases.

Improves Memory
 Blueberries are probably the best brain food of all because they increase the potential of neuron signals, protect brain against oxidative stress and reduce the age-related memory problems, such as dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. Researchers found that a diet that includes blueberries significantly improve memory and brain functions.

Maintain Good Eyesight
 Nutrients contain in blueberries has proved helpful in enhancing and maintaining people’s eyesight. Blueberries are great source of Vitamin A which is an essential nutrient for maintaining good eyesight.

Lower Cholesterol Levels
 One of the blueberries health benefit is their ability to lower cholesterol levels naturally. Recent research shows that a compound in blueberries prove to lower cholesterol as effectively as prescription drugs but without side effects.

Prevent Heart Disease

 Blueberries have the ability to keep cholesterol levels under control, thus improve heart health. The presence of antioxidants and fiber content makes this fruit a natural food supplement to prevent heart disease.

Prevent Urinary Tract Infections
 Another health benefit of blueberries is their ability to not only prevent urinary tract infections, but also cure them. Recent study at Rutgers Blueberry Cranberry Research Center in Chatsworth, NJ, has showed that blueberries have compounds similar to cranberries that used to prevent and treat urinary tract infections (UTI).

Prevent Cancer
 Several Compounds in blueberries such as Ellagic Acid and Pterostilbene are known for their cancer prevention and healing properties. Laboratory study published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry showed that phenolic compounds in blueberries can inhibit colon cancer cell proliferation.

Prevent Constipation and Improve Digestion
 Blueberries are rich in fiber, a nutrient which helps prevent constipation, while copper, fructose, sodium, and vitamins in blueberries help to improve digestion.

Reduce Belly Fat
 Researchers at the Michigan University claimed that eating blueberries may help reduce belly fat. In a study conducted on mice for 90 days, scientists has proved that mice that were given blueberries-enriched diet had less belly fat than those with normal diet.

Slow Aging process
 Blueberries have been shown to have a positive impact on aging. The antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of blueberries build a protective layer around the brain to fight the signs of aging and deterioration.

Act as Natural Anti-depressants
 Blueberries would keep you in good mood and reduce depression symptoms without the use of any medication.

 

When going to buy blueberries, make sure to choose the deeper blue one. The more deeper blue, the more richer in antioxidants and have more medical properties.


 

Blue Berry Juice

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Scientists are reporting the first evidence from human research that blueberries "one of the richest sources of healthful antioxidants and other so-called phytochemicals" improve memory. They said the study establishes a basis for comprehensive human clinical trials to determine whether blueberries really deserve their growing reputation as a memory enhancer. A report on the study appears in ACS' Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry. Robert Krikorian and colleagues point out that previous studies in laboratory animals suggest that eating blueberries may help boost memory in the aged. Until now, however, there had been little scientific work aimed at testing the effect of blueberry supplementation on memory in people. In the study, one group of volunteers in their 70s with early memory decline drank the equivalent of 2-2 l/2 cups of a commercially available blueberry juice every day for two months. A control group drank a beverage without blueberry juice. The blueberry juice group showed significant improvement on learning and memory tests, the scientists say. "These preliminary memory findings are encouraging and suggest that consistent supplementation with blueberries may offer an approach to forestall or mitigate neurodegeneration," said the report. The research involved scientists from the University of Cincinnati, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the Canadian department of agriculture.