Introduction To Blueberries
 For hundreds of years American Indians relied on the dried berries to provide vitamins and minerals during the winter and used syrups or teas for coughs and to ease the pain of childbirth. Highland Scots were recommending a spoonful or two of blueberry syrup for ailments as early as 1703. Research indicates that a cup of blueberries a day can help prevent cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer and such eye diseases as macular degeneration and cataracts. They can help regulate digestion and promote urinary-tract health. And they might slow and even reverse the degenerative effects of aging on the brain. A cup contains about 80 calories and is full of vitamin C, potassium, iron, and magnesium and is rich in antioxidants.High in flavonoids, blueberries are a good source of antioxidants and are especially good for healthy eyesight. he conclusion is that blueberries lower cholesterol as effectively as drugs, but without the negative side effects. blueberries, which are already known to be rich in healthy compounds, may also be a potent weapon in the battle against obesity and heart disease.
Anti-Aging
Diets high in flavonoid containing foods mean you have better health and live longer. Most fruits and vegetables contain flavonoids - the darker the color of the fruit or vegetable, the higher in flavonoids it is. When our cells burn fuel for energy, they produce free-radicals as a waste product. Antioxidants soak up free-radicals like a sponge soaks up water, decreasing cellular damage and thereby decreasing the effects of aging. Blueberries contain a flavonoid called proanthocyanin, which are helpful for protecting vision. Specifically, they are known to be beneficial in the prevention and treatment of age-related macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy. Because proanthocyanins are so good at improving the strength and number of blood vessels, blueberries are good for the treatment of varicose veins, hemorrhoids and wound healing. Current research on berries focuses on the benefits to memory in age-related cognitive decline and the prevention of brain injury after stroke. A new study suggest that diets featuring spinach, algae (spirulina), and blueberries may reduce ischemic stroke-induced brain damage, which occurs when the arteries are blocked by a blood clot, impeding the oxygen supply to the brain. The study, conducted on rats by Paula Bickford and her colleagues at the University of South Florida, has been published in thes Journal of Experimental Neurology.
Using Blueberries
Washing: I always wash freshly picked Blueberries in a 3% solution of Hydrogen Peroxide after picking, this kills off the bacteria that shorten the shelf life of this delicate fruit without leaving any nasty residues behind.
Freezer: I have a rapid chiller function on our feezer that allows me to freeze soft fruits very successfully, however it is always best to eat the fruit fresh if at all possible and use any surpluses in other ways such as a fruit cordial (see below).
Dehydrate: A dehydrator is a very sound investment in any household that grow a lot of it’s own fruit, but it is especially useful when it comes to Blueberries. Dehydrated blueberries can be used months later in all manner of cooking, especially in baked foods like cakes, muffins, fruit breads etc.
Preserves: Blueberries - 1.75 kg, Lemon juice - fresh 50ml, Water – 250ml, Stevia – to sweeten to your taste, Pectin to thicken to your own taste. The advantage of using stevia herb to sweeten is that it is natural, does not add sugar.
Cordial: You can make a fruit cordial with blueberries and stevia alone in a slow cooker which can then be diluted with mineral water to make a very healthy drink, especially compared to the fructose laden drinks that are made by the big food corps.
Picture right: making Blueberry preserve at home.
|
Research shows that a cup of blueberries a day can help prevent cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer and such eye diseases as macular degeneration and cataracts. Their deep, rich color indicates the presence of antioxidants. They can help regulate digestion and promote urinary-tract health. And they might slow and even reverse the degenerative effects of aging on the brain. A cup contains about 80 calories and is full of vitamin C, potassium, iron, and magnesium and is rich in antioxidants. They are also high in flavonoids, blueberries are a good source of antioxidants and are especially good for healthy eyesight. Blueberries lower cholesterol as effectively as the statin class of drugs, but without the negative side effects (which are considerable). Blueberries, which are already known to be rich in healthy compounds, may also be a potent weapon in the battle against obesity and heart disease.
We are such firm believers in the value of these little berries that we now grow our own. It is not hard to do and in addition to growing them outdoors during the season I have started cultivating them in the orangery in the house. I mix some Nordic Rock dust into the organic potting soil and let them do the rest. We grow angustifolium a low shrub variety that grows to a height of about 100cm to 150cm. Cultivation is not difficult but you must keep all other vegetation down as they do not like competition. Pretty, white flowers appear in spring; attractive, blue berries arrive in summer (You will have to use nets to protect plants from birds in the fruiting season) and in autumn the foliage erupts into a spectacular blaze of colour. Blueberries require light, free-draining acidic soils, with plenty of rich, organic matter if they are to thrive. The soil should have a pH of between 4 and 5.5, similar to the requirements of rhododendrons and camellias. It is possible to lower the pH levels of your soil with sulphur chips or dust. However, they will need to be added three weeks before planting to take effect. Monitor the soil's pH every few years, because it may be necessary to add acid. If you do not have suitable soil, simply grow blueberries in a pot containing acidic soil, such as ericaceous compost, giving the plants a high potash feed (such as tomato feed) occasionally during the growing season.
