ORGANIC BLUEBERRIES - Key elements: Vitamin C, E, Manganese, Dietary Fibre, Iron, and Potassium
Immune System Support
Anti Inflammatory
Anti allergic
Antioxidant, in particular anthocynanins.
This sweet little berry is one of the world's best sources of antioxidants. This means an amazing ability to protect the body and are associated with numerous health benefits such as improved memory, protection from urinary tract (these are from the same family as cranberries and have a compound that prevents bacteria adhering to the bladder wall), heart disease prevention, improve insulin sensitivity and are even reknowned to combat ageing.
Numerous studies have found that memory loss can be improved with daily consumption of Blueberries, a study found that just 12 weeks of blueberry intake cognitive function was greatly enhanced.
Eating your berries organic is so important with recent studies concluding that organicaly grown blueberries contain more total anthocyanin antioxidants, phenol antioxidants and significantly higher total antioxidant capacity.
In addition daily intake of blueberries results in increased eNOS activity which directly relates to improved cardiovascular function and protection.
HISTORY
Blueberries originated in the Native American region and were collected for centuries and consumed fresh and preserved. The native Americans have much folklore about them, believing that the Great Spirit had sent them to relieve children's hunger during the famine. Medicinally, the leaves were used to make a tea, beneficial for the blood, the juice of the berries used to treat coughs. Used as a food dye for cloth and baskets, and as a marinate for meat.
OUR SEASON
Blueberries are now cultivated in Australia, growing predominatley in the Yarra Valley region for Victorians, with our harvest season being from December to April.
EATING
Blueberries are definitely one fruit that is best enjoyed raw. Cooking denatures the enzymes and nutrient status.
FOOD AS MEDICINE:
BLOOD SUGAR: The Native Americans and Europeans use blueberry leaves to lower blood sugar levels in the body. Made by steeping blueberry leaves in boiling water and drinking a cup both in the morning and evening for at least three months. The substance mytrillin in blueberry leaves reduces blood sugar as insulin does.
DIARRHEA: In Switzerland, blueberries are often eaten to stop diarrhea. A compound found in blueberries anthocyanosides kills the bacteria that is often responsible for diarrhea.
URINARY TRACT INFECTIONS: Blueberries eaten daily helps fight urinary tract infections, a cup a day is the suggested dose.
STORING BLUEBERRIES
Do not rinse before storing, as excess mouisture will break down the berries. Store in the container that they are delivered in, as they will be super fresh when you receive them, they can last up to a week stored in the refridgerator.
If you have an excess of blueberries, they can be frozen in a freezer proof container or zip lock bag. Researchers have found that freezing them does not not damage their delicate anthocyanin antioxidants.
QUICK SERVING IDEAS:
Organic Apricot and Berry Summer Fruit Dessert
NOTES
In conventional farming, Blueberries are one of the most sprayed crops with significant pesticide residues routinely found in them. Blueberries are one of the most important fruits to EAT ORGANIC!
REFERENCES
Stull A, Cash C, Johnson D, Cafaulu W. 2010 ‘ Bioactives in Blueberries Improve Insulin Sensitivity in Obese, Insulin-Resistant Men and Women’ Journal of Nutrition. http://jn.nutrition.org/content/early/2010/08/19/jn.110.125336.short
Basu A, Du M,Leyva M, Sanchez K, Betts N ,Wu M, Aston C, Lyons T. 2010 .
'Blueberries Decrease Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Obese Men and Women with Metabolic Syndrome'. Journal of Nutrition. http://jn.nutrition.org/content/140/9/1582
Journal of Neuroscience, September 15, 1999, 19(18); 8114- 8121
Wang S, Chen C, Sciarappa W, Wang C, Camp M. 2008. ‘Fruit Quality, Antioxidant Capacity, and Flavonoid Content of Organically and Conventionally Grown Blueberries’ http://phoenix.nal.usda.gov/bitstream/10113/17596/1/IND44083045.pdf
