Blueberries: health benefits and harms, calorie content, composition

The beneficial properties and contraindications of blueberries for women are interesting to study for all lovers of delicious vitamin berries. With proper use, the fruits can not only please with a refreshing taste, but also improve the condition of the body.

The value and chemical composition of blueberries

Small dark blue berries contain a huge amount of valuable substances. Blueberry nutrients are mainly represented by carbohydrates - about 6.6 g. Also, berries contain 1 g of protein, and they contain only 0.5 g of fat.

Composition of vitamins and minerals in blueberries

Almost all vitamins important for human health are present in berry pulp. Namely:

  • ascorbic acid - up to 22% of the daily value;
  • subgroup B vitamins - from B1 to B9, in total from 0.7 to 3% of the daily value;
  • vitamin K - about 14% of the daily dosage;
  • tocopherol - up to 11%;
  • vitamin PP - 2%;
  • carotene and beta-carotene - 0.2 and 0.6%, respectively.
Almost all important trace elements are present in berries

The berries contain many minerals. Among them, special mention deserve:

  • manganese - about 7.5% of the daily value;
  • iron - up to 4.5%;
  • copper - about 3.3%.

The fruits also contain potassium, calcium, selenium and zinc, phosphorus, sodium and magnesium, their proportion is low, but they are still very valuable for the body.

Blueberries contain fiber and amino acids, saturated and unsaturated fats, ash, organic acids and tannins. A small portion of the fruit fully saturates the body with nutritional components.

How many calories are in blueberries

The berry has an average nutritional value. The calorie content of blueberries per 100 grams is 39 kcal, it is impossible to gain weight on the fruits, especially with moderate use.

Useful properties of blueberries for the body

Valuable properties are concentrated in the fruits and leaves of the plant. Interestingly, not only fresh, but also processed blueberry fruits bring health benefits.

Useful properties of blueberries

Fresh berries can act as a real natural medicine. Due to the high volume of vitamins and minerals, the product:

  • strengthens the immune system and helps fight germs and viruses;
  • protects visual acuity and relieves eye strain;
  • has a beneficial effect on digestion and helps to get rid of constipation and diarrhea;
  • cleans body tissues and removes not only toxins, but also radioactive metals;
  • serves as the prevention of oncology;
  • strengthens the vascular walls and heart muscle;
  • lowers cholesterol and glucose levels;
  • brings a good effect on the pancreas;
  • positively affects the functioning of the nervous system, and also improves memory and concentration;
  • helps to cope with swelling.
Blueberries are beneficial for diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

It is especially recommended to use berries for diabetes of any type. The glycemic index in fetuses is low, they do not provoke surges in glucose. But the vitamins and minerals in the berry help regulate blood sugar levels and also support the work of the pancreas.

Eating berries is good for prolonging youth, they slow down aging and improve the condition of the skin and hair. Against the background of the use of berries, the body's ability to regenerate increases.

On sale you can find both garden and forest blueberries. It should be noted that the benefits of forest blueberries are the same as garden blueberries, since the chemical composition is almost the same. The difference between them is mainly in size, as well as in the greater juiciness and brightness of the taste of the second variety.

Benefits of frozen blueberries

The shelf life of fresh product is extremely short. However, you can eat berries even months after purchase. It is customary to freeze fruits for long-term storage; in this case, they remain suitable for consumption for 6-12 months.

The frozen product retains all vitamins and minerals in full. You can make jams and compotes from berries, add fruits to baked goods. Ready meals can still benefit the digestion, vascular system and immune system.

Important! After thawing, the fruits cannot be re-frozen, the thawed berries must be used completely.
Frozen berries retain all valuable substances

Benefits of blueberry leaves

In addition to fresh berries, plant leaves can be beneficial. They contain the same vitamins, organic acids and minerals as blueberry fruits, as well as a large amount of flavonoids and antioxidants.

On the basis of the leaves in folk medicine, decoctions and infusions are made that help in the treatment of vitamin deficiency, colds and inflammations. You can use leaf drinks as a natural laxative; the beneficial ingredients in the product help well with constipation.

Properties of blueberry fruit drink

Blueberry juice, a drink made from fresh or frozen berries, has many beneficial properties. During the preparation of fruit drink, blueberries are boiled with sugar for just 5-10 minutes, so the vitamins in the fruits are preserved almost in full.

Morse not only quenches thirst well, but also has anti-inflammatory properties, so it helps to cope with the flu and colds. The drink relieves the temperature, eases the general condition, and, thanks to the diuretic effect, quickly removes toxins from the body. Drinking fruit drink tones well, the drink returns vigor and good mood.

The benefits of blueberry jam

Another popular blueberry preparation is sweet jam. In the process of cooking, the berries are boiled for a long time, so some of the nutrients in their composition are inevitably destroyed. However, the delicacy still contains many vitamins and minerals, so blueberry jam is a very valuable product.

The amount of vitamins in the jam is reduced, but the treat is still beneficial

Eating jam is useful for colds and inflammatory ailments, vitamins in the delicacy help to cope with negative processes and eliminate infection. It also has a positive effect on metabolism and can serve as a remedy for constipation.

Why blueberries are good for the human body

When using the product, the effect on the body is usually only positive.Both men and women noticeably improve their general well-being, and the likelihood of developing chronic disorders is significantly reduced.

Why blueberries are useful for a man's body

Eating dark blue berries for men is beneficial, first of all, for the cardiovascular system. Blueberries reduce the risk of heart attack and protect against strokes, prevent the development of atherosclerosis and help the liver.

The beneficial properties of garden blueberries have a beneficial effect on the reproductive system. Regular consumption of berries reduces the risk of prostatitis, helps fight inflammation of the urogenital area and increases potency. For men over 40, blueberries are a good prevention of cancer of the reproductive system.

Why blueberries are good for women

The benefits of blueberries for women are expressed in the fact that the berries help to normalize the menstrual cycle and relieve painful menstruation. The berries contain a lot of iron, so with profuse blood loss, they help prevent anemia. The use of fruits allows women to maintain youth and beauty for a longer time, and blueberries are also beneficial in their diet.

Berries are allowed for consumption during pregnancy, they strengthen the immune system, help to cope with nausea and relieve swelling. Vitamins in the composition of the fruit have a positive effect on the developing fetus.

Attention! But during breastfeeding, it is better to add blueberries to the diet only 3 months after childbirth, in order to avoid allergies in infants.
Blueberries have a beneficial effect on the reproductive functions of the female body

The healing properties of blueberries

Some useful properties of berries deserve special mention. Sometimes blueberries can have a real healing effect.

Benefits of blueberries for the eyes

Blueberries are one of the best eye health foods. It is beneficial to take it to prevent myopia and astigmatism, cataracts and other disorders. The berry helps very well with intense eye strain, it relieves fatigue, prevents the development of dry cornea. In case of mechanical trauma to the organs of vision, the product accelerates healing and eliminates the inflammatory process.

For immunity

Blueberries contain a lot of vitamin C and tocopherol, these natural antioxidants are responsible for the body's resistance to viruses and colds. Blueberries strengthen the body's defenses, so it is especially recommended to eat it in the autumn and winter, when there are fewer vitamins in the diet.

Berries are able to protect not only from colds, but also from more serious diseases. Good immunity prevents the development of oncological processes in the body, inhibits the growth of tumors.

For the heart and blood vessels

Potassium and magnesium in berries have a positive effect on the state of the cardiovascular system. The properties of blueberries improve blood circulation and prevent blood clots. Berries are recommended to be consumed with high blood pressure and atherosclerosis, with myocarditis and pain in the heart.

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To normalize blood pressure

Blueberries contain a unique substance, pterostilbene. It helps lower blood cholesterol and prevents the formation of atherosclerotic plaques. The walls of blood vessels are strengthened, the blood begins to move faster. With hypertension, berries are highly recommended for consumption, their properties help to fight a sharp increase in pressure and associated migraines.

With diarrhea

Blueberry berries help not only constipation, but also diarrhea. The fruits contain tannins that have a fixing effect. In case of indigestion, it is recommended to consume a drink based on dried blueberries. If you drink herbal tea three times a day, the stool will quickly return to normal.

Berries are good for the eyes and help maintain visual acuity

Blueberry application

The beneficial properties of blueberries for the human body are used in several areas at once. In addition to culinary use, the fruits are used for treatment and personal care.

In folk medicine

Home medicine recipes use fresh and dried fruits, as well as the leaves and twigs of the plant. The properties of blueberry decoctions and infusions help to improve the condition for most ailments.

Infusion on the leaves for constipation

To normalize stools and eliminate constipation, you can make a blueberry-based remedy:

  • grind the dried leaves of the plant in the amount of 1 small spoon;
  • pour a glass of warm water;
  • leave for 10 minutes and filter.

Drink the remedy up to 4 times a day, the properties of blueberry leaves have a good relaxing effect on the intestines.

Infusion on berries for vitamin deficiency

With a vitamin deficiency, you can prepare the following remedy:

  • pour 250 ml of hot water 20 g of dried berries;
  • cover the container with a lid;
  • insist for 2 hours.

The filtered drink is consumed in 30 ml several times a day for a week. The tool effectively restores vigor, improves attention and concentration, and raises overall endurance.

Decoction on leaves for the heart and blood vessels

With hypertension, high cholesterol and other ailments, it is recommended to prepare the following decoction:

  • 20 g of leaves and dried twigs are crushed;
  • the raw material is poured with 300 ml of boiling water and kept for half an hour in a water bath;
  • filter the product and leave to cool at room temperature.

You need to take a drink three times a day, 30 ml each, the whole treatment is continued for 2 weeks in a row.

The leaves of the plant can be used to prepare decoctions and infusions

In cosmetology

The vitamin composition of blueberries makes them a valuable skin care product. The pulp of berries is used to fight acne and to cleanse pores, to rejuvenate and moisturize the epidermis.

Rejuvenating blueberry mask

When the first wrinkles appear, a good effect is brought by the properties of such a mask:

  • 2 large tablespoons of fresh fruits are kneaded into gruel;
  • mixed with the same amount of fatty sour cream;
  • add a few drops of lemon juice;
  • add a teaspoon of olive oil.
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The product is distributed over the skin for 20 minutes, and then the mask is washed off and additionally rubbed over the face with an ice cube.

Mask for oily skin

The following mask has a good effect against excess fat and acne:

  • 2 large tablespoons of berries are kneaded and mixed with egg white;
  • add 1 large spoonful of potato starch;
  • slightly dilute the mixture with still mineral water.

The mask is applied to the skin for half an hour, after which it is removed. The product, with regular use, normalizes the production of subcutaneous sebum and helps get rid of acne and acne.

In dietetics

Blueberry fruits contain only about 40 kcal per 100 g. In dietary nutrition, their properties are in great demand, since the fruits do not contribute to weight gain, but they accelerate the process of removing toxins from the intestines.

Blueberry fruits help to lose weight without harm to the body

If you consume just a handful of blueberry fruits a day, your metabolism will become more active and your peristalsis will improve. Along with the slags, excess weight will go away. In this case, the body will not lose valuable vitamins, on the contrary, blueberries will maintain the balance of nutrients.

Advice! Since the berry satisfies hunger well, you can use it on a diet in between main meals.

Blueberry rules

Blueberries are a healthy and safe product for the body. When using it, you should adhere to a few simple recommendations:

  1. Blueberry fruits are best eaten in the morning or afternoon. Eating the product in the evening does not overload the stomach, but makes it work actively, which can negatively affect the quality of sleep. Therefore, it is recommended to eat fruits no later than 2 hours before going to bed.
  2. Blueberries go well with dairy products - yogurt, fermented baked milk, kefir and milk. The benefits of berries in such cases becomes even higher. If you pour the fruits with kefir or milk, then a light and healthy dish will replenish energy reserves in the body, improve mood and activate digestion.
  3. It is better not to use blueberries with tea and coffee. In this combination, the berry will cause more harm to the body and can provoke a digestive upset.

The product can be used by children as well. Whole fresh berries are offered to babies from the age of 5, but blueberry juice or puree in small quantities can be introduced into the diet after a year of life. The properties of blueberries increase the immunity of children and also contribute to the healthy development of the organs of vision.

Children can have blueberries, but only with the permission of the pediatrician
Attention! Since healthy berries have contraindications, it is necessary to consult a pediatrician before treating a child with a new product.

How many blueberries can you eat per day

When eating berries, it is important to stick to moderate dosages. For adults, the daily rate is 150 g, for children - only 80 g of fruit. When exceeding a safe dosage, blueberries can cause indigestion or an allergic reaction.

Limitations and contraindications

Even healthy blueberry berries have their own contraindications. It is not recommended to use the product:

  • with individual intolerance;
  • with exacerbation of peptic ulcer or gastritis with high acidity;
  • in the acute phase of pancreatitis;
  • with flatulence and a tendency to diarrhea.

You can not eat fruits during breastfeeding, the properties of the product can cause allergies in babies.

Selection and storage rules

It is best to buy blueberries in July and August. This season, the freshest ripe berries appear on store shelves and markets. High-quality blueberries should be large enough, neat, without dents or cracks in the skin. A distinctive feature of good berries is the presence of a matte bluish bloom on their surface.

Fresh blueberries are stored for a short time, no more than a week in the refrigerator. If you want to keep the product for a long time, then it should be frozen or dried. In this case, the berries can be used throughout the year.

For long-term storage, it is better to freeze berries

Conclusion

The beneficial properties and contraindications of blueberries for women accompany each other. In the absence of contraindications, the berries will be very valuable for the body, since they will bring both therapeutic and cosmetic effects.

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