Blueberries
Blueberries have been consumed by the native North American Indians for hundreds of years. Surprisingly, the plant is associated with more folklore than most American fruits. Many years ago after the Europeans arrived in North America, they began to cultivate the fruit on farms and took the blueberry plant back to Europe with them. Today the fruit is well recognized for its sweetness and is sold worldwide. Besides the fruit, the berries are also crushed and the juice is extracted. The North American Indians have used its juices for years to treat numerous medical ailments as well as a dying agent for their clothes. The dried berries were also crushed into a powder and rubbed into meat for flavor. Vitamins, Minerals and Phytochemical Components These delicious treats have earned the reputation of a super fruit and evidence indicates that the fruit is rich in nutrients like fiber, vitamin K, vitamin C, iron, and large amounts of manganese. They also contain resveratrol, which is a phytoalexin that is produced by plants when they are experiencing a bacterial or fungal infection. Phytoalexins are antibacterial and anti-fungal chemicals that are produced by plants as a means of protection against pathogens. In 1997, it was discovered that resveratrol also has anti-inflammatory properties. Recently resveratrol has been labeled as a nutraceutical because its chemical properties provide protection against chronic diseases. In addition to resveratrol, they contain anthocyanins and polyphenol antioxidant pigments that have been shown to help reduce the risk of getting some diseases such as certain types of cancers. Medicinal Uses Based on Scientific Studies Coming Soon
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