KEEP CALM AND EAT BLUEBERRIES

“Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food”.

Hippocrates

Blueberries are rich in flavonoids, vitamins and minerals that are essential for our overall health. Blueberry, or Vaccinium myrtillus, is a wild, perennial, deciduous, low-growing shrub that belongs to the Ericaceae family. The other names for this plant include: huckleberry, European blueberry, whortleberry and some others. Blueberry originates from Europe and nowadays grows in the forests and meadows of Asia, Europe and North America. The leaves are green, oval and alternately arranged. The flowers can be pink or white. The fruits of the plant are represented by small, purple or almost black berries.

Parts Used: berries, leaves.

Healthy Components

• Vitamins A, B1, B2, C, E, K
• Pectin
• Copper
• Zinc
• Manganese
• Iron
• Chromium
• Potassium
• Calcium
• Tannins
• Flavonoid glycosides
• Organic acids
• Quercetin

Interesting Blueberry Facts

• It is believed that during the Second World War British and American pilots were given bilberry jam so as to improve their night eyesight (it was important in order to conduct night flights).
• Blueberries are used to produce liqueurs and as a flavoring for sorbets.

Blueberries Can be Used in the Following Forms:

-fresh berries;

-dried berries;

-tea, juice or jam;

-powder;

-food ingredient for many dishes;

-supplements;

-cosmetics;

-capsules or tablets;

-tinctures and extracts.

And now we are happy to present an easy and extremely beneficial recipe for Blueberry smoothie. You should definitely try it!

Appetizing Blueberry Smoothie

What you need:

• 1 cup of lueberries
• 1 and a half cups of yougurt
• 2 tbsp of oat bran
• 0.5 cup of low-fat milk
• 2 tbsp of spelt
• 1 tbsp of liquid honey

Put all the ingredients in your blender and mix them. Serve and drink immediately!

In conclusion, we should admit that blueberries are benefit-rich berries that are not only a tasty food item but also an excellent medicine. So try to eat blueberries as often as it’s possible and enjoy your healthy life!