The blueberry is a small shrub of 50 cm belonging to the family of the Heather: Ericaceae. This large family has more than 3500 species. Each of these species evolves in different latitudes and regions. We find, for example, the Cranberry, the Gaultheria, the Lingonberry or the Bearberry. The wild blueberry requires specific climatic conditions to grow, notably a well-drained and acidic soil. It is mostly cultivated for its berries, the blueberries. These small berries have a royal blue color, which indicates the presence of a pigment: anthocyanins. It is mainly this compound that is involved in the therapeutic effects of blueberries: antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, etc. A series of scientific studies has also shown their benefits for the brain and eyes, blueberries can thus claim to fight against depression, prevent certain cancers, improve memory and night vision ... Many health virtues that justify the addition of dried blueberries in a varied and balanced diet. Especially since their slightly sweet and acidic taste goes well with many dishes. Latin name: Vaccinum myrtillus L. Botanical family: Ericaceae. Part used: Fruit.
The dried Blueberry is a dry fruit. It therefore contains more sugar than a fresh blueberry, the recommendations for daily consumption are defined :
To make the most of their benefits, you can use them :
We advise you to use them during the following meal(s) to take full advantage of their benefits:
You can incorporate them into the following preparations to make them easier to take:
Dried Blueberries can complement your healthy and varied diet.
Blueberries are widely used to improve night vision and protect retinal capillaries. By their antioxidant power, they show a real preventive effect against age-related eye diseases, such as AMD and cataract.
Dried blueberries are a superfood often used in the treatment of chronic venous insufficiency.
By their richness in phenolic compounds, Bilberries stimulate neuroplasticity. This benefit improves memory, cognitive performance and also emotions. In fact, studies show a preventive potential of blueberry flavonoids on depression and dysphoria. Finally, by their richness in sugars, the dried bilberries will fill the energy needs of the neurons, glucodependent cells, thus fighting against fatigue.
The flavonoids in dried blueberries are powerful antimicrobials, their action is more visible on bacteria and parasites.
The dried bilberries are vectors of anthocyanidins. They limit the fixation of bacteria responsible for urinary infections.
Dried blueberries have a low level of saturated fatty acids and a high concentration of anthocyanosides: powerful antioxidants and anti-inflammatories. This combination prevents and fights against cardiovascular pathologies. In addition, anthocyanosides are very effective in preventing diabetic retinopathy, an impairment of the retinal vessels, a complication of diabetes.
Dried Blueberries are traditionally used to treat diarrhea (see our diarrhea and food guide). Be careful, in excess or fresh, they have the opposite effect. In addition, dried Blueberries would decrease the development of Helicobacter Pylori. They would protect, thus, the walls of the stomach. Finally, Bilberries would potentially be prebiotic superfoods: they positively influence the intestinal flora. All these nutrients reinforce the benefits of a varied and balanced diet.
Blueberries are naturally low in sodium. Therefore, they would prevent hypervolemia. This disorder favors the rise of the blood pressure.
A study has examined the effects of blueberry consumption in cases of knee osteoarthritis. It concludes on an improvement of the walking by the increase of the cadence, the speed, the stride and the length of the steps on the group supplemented with Blueberries. Thus, Blueberries may have positive effects on pain management and contribute to better physical functionality for osteoarthritis patients (see our arthritis and diet guide).
In the Ericaceae family is a small shrub called blueberry. It is native to Europe and has spread to Asia. The wild blueberry can live up to 30 years, it reaches an adult age of 50 cm. Like its roots, its branches are numerous and angular. The deciduous, oval and alternate leaves are only found on the upper branches. The flowers look like bells, their colors vary from green to pink, passing by the white. They bloom from April to June, before offering a fleshy, bluish, globular fruit, measuring 1 to 2 cm: the Wild Blueberry. The Blueberries contain several brown seeds, their blue-purple juice has a strong coloring power, and they are covered with a light sweet white dust. The wild blueberry, like most Ericaceae, thrives on acidic soils. It also requires a humus-rich, sandy soil, where limestone is inexistent. Very demanding, it is difficult to grow wild blueberry outside its preferred habitat.
The blueberry tree is mostly cultivated for its fruits: the Blueberries. These are picked by hand or with a comb. They are then sold fresh, frozen, dried, canned, in juice or in jam. Moreover, they can be found in food supplements, in powder or liquid concentrate. Indeed, the berries of the blueberry have therapeutic properties. Like the leaves, which help fight against urinary infections and diabetes. The roots are also known to relieve diarrhea.
Be careful not to confuse Blueberries and Bilberries. Blueberries (Vaccinum angustifolium) are native to North America, the shrub is about 30 cm tall and offers larger fruits than the wild Blueberry (Vaccinum myrtillus).
Fun fact: the genus Vaccinum, from the Latin vaccinus means "cow", as cattle would appreciate these berries.
The wild Bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus L.) is difficult to cultivate outside its native environment, because it requires specific and demanding agro-climatic conditions. Commercial Bilberries are Bilberries resulting from crosses between different species of Bilberries, they are less demanding which makes their cultivation and marketing easier.
The blueberry market is growing strongly. As a result, the cultivation of blueberries is changing: blueberries from intensive agriculture are in the majority. Intensively cultivated blueberries have a white to yellow pulp. Wild blueberries have a blue to red pulp. This loss of color indicates a decrease in the concentration of anthocyanins. Anthocyanins are responsible for the bluish color. Anthocyanins are responsible for many of the health benefits of blueberries: antimicrobial, antioxidant, antiparasitic, anti-inflammatory, etc.
Therefore, wild blueberries have more health benefits than those from intensive cultivation.
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