Article content
Nowadays superfoods are fashionable and people also talk about Superfruits. These are exotic crops “loaded” with vitamins, minerals and antioxidants.
We mostly buy them dried, sometimes fresh, or as expensive supplements containing extracts from these fruits. Examples include Acai Berry, mangosteen, papaya, pitahaya (dragon fruit) or pomegranate.
At the same time, one such Superfruit can be picked in our forests in summer. Yes, it is the well-known blueberry. Just head to the forest and pick yourself a good portion of valuable nutrients. Blueberries can be eaten fresh, frozen, or dried. They have uses in every form.
Wild or Canadian blueberries?
You can pick blueberries in the forest, where the wild (forest) blueberry grows, but you can also grow them in the garden or on the balcony. That will, however, be the Canadian blueberry. The wild forest blueberry requires a woodland environment, is smaller and darker. That means it contains more health-promoting anthocyanins. These are important antioxidants. Canadian blueberries are used in the food industry — in yogurts, muesli bars or cakes, where wild forest blueberries are usually not found.
Why actually eat blueberries?
Blueberries are an exceptional source of antioxidants. They also contain vitamins B, C, K, folic acid and fiber.
This fruit is excellent for strengthening immunity, increasing resistance to diseases. Their positive effect on digestion is also significant; they can help with both diarrhea and constipation. Dried blueberries can become a useful part of our home medicine cabinet.
Blueberries are an excellent fruit for insidious diabetes. In addition, they contain substances that help with urinary tract inflammations, similar to cranberries. They prevent bacteria from adhering in the urinary tract.
Consuming blueberries has a positive effect on the brain, nerves and eyes. They even slow aging and improve memory. They are intended for the prevention of atherosclerosis and ischemic heart disease.
How best to consume blueberries?
Blueberries have the advantage that they do not lose their positive effect even after processing. Of course they are best fresh and just picked. However, they are also beneficial in the form of pies, preserves, in fruit dumplings; we can freeze them (of course not for too long, as they will gradually start to lose vitamins) or dry them in a fruit dehydrator.
