Superfood blueberry: domestic power bombThe small blueberry bushes with the egg-shaped leaves can be discovered almost on every walk in sparse deciduous and coniferous forests. From July to September, the blue to blackish shimmering blueberries can be harvested in our latitudes. This makes them a real local superfood.
Blueberries, also known as blueberries in this country, are so healthy primarily because of their high levels of anthocyanins, the dark plant pigments. How does it affect our health? And are cultivated blueberries just as healthy as wild blueberries?
Overview:
The ingredients of blueberries:
– Pectins – Tannins – Anthocyanins – Trace elements such as iron and manganese – Minerals such as potassium, calcium and magnesium – Dietary fiber – Vitamins such as folic acid, vitamins C, A, B, E and beta-carotene
Blue makes healthy: The ingredients of blueberries and their effect
The small, blue blueberries have been growing for many centuries in European and North American coniferous forests and in heath landscapes – from which the name of the power fruit is derived. The fully ripe fruits and leaves of blueberries are full of healthy Vitamins, plant pigments, antioxidants and minerals. folic acid and manganese are present in blueberries in significant quantities. These trace elements are responsible for building our genetic material and our bones. Women who wish to have children can therefore safely reach for blueberries more often.
Naturopathy also knows about the positive effects of blueberries: It is used to treat diarrhea, is considered an anti-arteriosclerosis fruit, and is even said to reduce the risk of developing nervous diseases such as Alzheimer's disease. No wonder that the blueberry was named fruit of the year in 2015! The most important active ingredients of the aromatic blueberry in terms of health are tannins, pectins and anthocyanins. Pectins alleviate diarrhea, as they act like dietary fiber and absorb excess water. But to what extent do anthocyanins influence. Tannins our health positively? Anthocyanins belong to the plant pigments. Provide the dark blue to black color of blueberries. Although medical research on anthocyanins is still relatively young. Nevertheless, initial studies have shown that the consumption of anthocyanins can positively influence the course of various diseases or preventively protect against them. According to initial findings, anthocyanins have the following main effects antioxidant. This means that they protect the cells of our body from so-called free radicals. These oxygen compounds are produced by biochemical processes in the body and are suspected of causing cancer and accelerating signs of aging.
The high amount of anthocyanins in blueberries can therefore contribute to the following, reduce the individual risk of cancer and prevent aging processes. The dark plant pigments from the blue berries are said to be able to do even more:
– They protect preventively against arteriosclerosis (deposits in the blood vessels, which can lead to cardiovascular diseases). They slow down blood clotting. Thus prevent the risk of blood clots (thrombosis). – They help improve memory performance, as they slow down the breakdown of certain messenger substances between nerve cells.
InterestingAnthocyanins are found in all blue to reddish colored fruits. The blueberry takes thereby under the domestic Superfoods a point position! 100 g of fresh berries contain up to 438 mg of anthocyanins. With it almost twice as much as raspberries (up to 230 mg).
The blue color of blueberries is one of the reasons why blueberries are healthy. The valuable Plant dyes are found almost exclusively in the skin of the fruit. the darker the berries are, the more anthocyanins they contain.
Tannins in blueberries for fit mucous membranes
In addition to anthocyanins, blueberries contain a particularly high amount of tannins, which are used in natural medicine for the Treatment of diarrhea and other mucosal diseases can be used. Tannins have an astringent and antibacterial effect, i.e. they contract the mucous membranes and kill bacteria. When the tannins contained in blueberries enter the stomach or intestines, they bind with proteins in the mucous membrane lining these organs. Mucous membrane becomes insoluble in water and solidifies. Bacteria can now penetrate more difficult. Body water remains in the cells.
ImportantIf you want to use blueberries against diarrhea, you should use only dried berries. Fresh blueberries have rather the opposite effect! The reason: they contain larger amounts of cellulose and fruit acids, which have a dehydrating effect and can thus intensify the complaints.
TipThe astringent (astringent) effect of the tannins in blueberries can also be used to treat diarrhea and other mucosal disorders Treatment of inflammations in the mouth or throat area Are used. Prepare a blueberry tea for this purpose: Pour half a liter of cold water over three heaped tablespoons of dried blueberries. Then boil the drink for about 10 minutes. Strain the blueberries afterwards. With this Blueberry tea you can gargle several times a day.
Forest or cultivated blueberries?
If you buy blueberries in the supermarket, 90 percent of them are cultivated blueberries, which are mainly imported from North America. Cultivated blueberries are not descended from forest blueberries, which are native to Europe, but from cultivated US varieties. Cultivated blueberries are somewhat more acidic and less aromatic, but firmer and larger. Cultivated blueberries are usually lighter than forest blueberries. Contain about half as many healthy ingredients as forest blueberries. Who has the choice between wild and cultivated blueberries, should therefore the Prefer berries from the forest. They are not only healthier, but also more flavorful. Nevertheless, cultivated blueberries are also very healthy. To achieve a similar effect as with the forest blueberries, only larger quantities (about double) of them must be consumed.
Blueberries and fox tapeworm?
That by eating wild blueberries raw, you can become infected with the Fox tapeworm pathogen The cause of diarrhea has not yet been scientifically clarified. The tapeworm eggs, which are only a few millimeters in size, are excreted by the fox in its feces. According to research findings of the Robert Koch Institute, transmitted to humans primarily via contaminated soil or petting infected animals. Therefore, forest blueberries should always be thoroughly washed. If you want to be sure, cooks the berries for several minutes or dry them in the oven. This reliably kills any worm eggs.
The use of blueberries
In terms of preparation, blueberries are just as multi-talented as they are in terms of their health benefits. The berries can Fresh or dried use. Fresh berries should be washed thoroughly and then stored loosely layered in the refrigerator, as they easily become mushy under too much prere.
You can buy dried blueberries in well-stocked (organic) supermarkets or make your own from collected wild blueberries. For the Do-it-yourself variety place the washed and drained berries loosely on a baking tray. Preheat the oven to 40 to 50 degrees Celsius. Let the berries dry in the oven for about an hour. Dried blueberries can be used as a home remedy for diarrhea, for example.
Extra tipAlso the Blueberry leaves are healthy. You can pick them when they are young (before the berry season between July and August). September!) from the branches of blueberry bushes and dries them in the shade. twigs of the blueberry bushes. Dries them in the shade. Bilberry leaves contain a plant insulin, which has a mitigating effect on diabetic diseases. The dried blueberry leaves (about 2 teaspoons) are poured over a cup of boiling water and removed after 10 minutes of infusion. Diabetics can have this Tea take three times a day.
Before prolonged treatment of diabetes with blueberry leaf tea, you should ask your doctor for advice, because the leaves also contain substances that have a mild toxic effect.
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